Nicola Akele Earns Atlantic 10 Rookie Of The Week Honor

University of Rhode Island Press Release

KINGSTON, R.I. — Nicola Akele was named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week, it was announced by the league office this morning as part of its weekly teleconference call.

Akele saw his most significant action of the season in a 2-0 week for the Rams, setting new career-highs in scoring in wins at Brown and in the Atlantic 10 opener against Saint Louis.

The 6-7 freshman earned his first collegiate start at Brown, and tallied seven points (3-5 FG) and two steals in 29 minutes in the overtime win over the Bears.  

Last time out against Saint Louis, the Treviso, Italy product knocked down two early 3-pointers and scored six of Rhody’s first 11 points. He finished with nine points, four rebounds, two assists and a blocked shot in 29 minutes of play.

For the week, Akele averaged 8.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.0 steal per game while shooting 54.5% from the floor (6-11 FG) and 4-of-6 from the perimeter.

It marks the first weekly conference award for a Rhody player this season and is the 12th time during the Dan Hurley era that a Ram earned A-10 Rookie of the Week honors.