Jones Named Big South Freshman Of The Week

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (BigSouthSports.com) – Winthrop's Diana Choibekova has been named the Big South Conference Women's Basketball Choice Hotels Player of the Week, while Shonese Jones of UNC Asheville was tabbed The Crons Brand Freshman of the Week for games played Jan. 10-16, the League announced today.

Choibekova, a junior from New York, N.Y., averaged 28 points per game, shot 52 percent from downtown and connected on 53 percent from the field to lead Winthrop to a 2-0 record last week. The guard got her week started with 24 points on 50 percent from the floor and 41 percent from long range, to go along with 11 rebounds and two steals in Winthrop's win over UNC Asheville on Jan. 14. Two days later against Gardner-Webb, Choibekova tied the Big South single game three-point record as she connected on 10-of-17 and added 10-of-18 from the field and two from the stripe to finish with 32 points in the Eagles' win over Gardner-Webb. She also pulled down four rebounds and dished out three assists against the Runnin' Bulldogs. The honor marks her first Big South Player of the Week nod of her career.

Jones, a freshman guard from Etowah, N.C., posted a pair of double-digit scoring games for UNC Asheville this past week, posting 15 points against Winthrop and 16 points against Presbyterian. She also tallied four assists, three rebounds and two steals on the week. Her 16 points against the Blue Hose led all Asheville players. She also connected on 7-of-8 free throws and shot 33 percent for the week. The award marks her second Freshman of the Week plaudit this season.

Also nominated for women's basketball Player of the Week for Week 9: Jazmine Cooper (Campbell), Rachelle Coward (Charleston Southern), Olivia Irick (Coastal Carolina), Shamia Brown (High Point), Avery Warley (Liberty), Mariah Pietrowski (Presbyterian College), Da'Naria Erwin Spencer (Radford) and Grace Blaylock (UNC Asheville).

Also nominated for women's basketball Freshman of the Week for Week 9: Reagan Miller (Liberty), Ayana Avery (Radford) and Taylor Calvert (Winthrop).