In her final season in a UC Riverside uniform, Kemie Nkele drained a career-high 32 points on her way to Big West Player of the Week honors, for the week ending Jan. 18. Picking up her third award of the season moves Nkele to a tie for third place in the conference's all-time list with nine weekly accolades.
After averaging only 9.3 points per game in the first four conference games of the season, the San Diego, Calif., native exploded for a career-high 32 points at Cal State Northridge, besting her previous career-high of 31 points set earlier this year at then-ranked No. 4 Oklahoma.
Adding 12 rebounds and three blocks to her total, Nkele collected her fourth double-double of the year and 42nd of her career while lifting the Highlanders to their third win in-a-row.
Others nominated: Megan Richardson (CSF), Tonicia Tademy (CSUN), Paige Mintun (UCD), Amber Simmons (PAC)