RICHMOND — William & Mary freshman Isaiah Mbeng was named the CAA Rookie of the Week for the second time this season, the league announced on Monday.
Mbeng joins Delaware’s Izaiah Pasha as the only multiple time honorees in the league this season. The Potomac, Md., native is also the first Tribe freshman since Chase Audige in 2018-19 to earn the Rookie of the Week distinction on multiple occasions in a season. Mbeng also took home the award during the first week of CAA play on Jan. 6.
Mbeng averaged 7.3 points, 4.3 assists, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game during the week that ended with a pair of Tribe wins. On Saturday during the annual Gold Rush game vs. Monmouth, he tallied 10 points to go with five assists, compared to no turnovers, and four steals. Mbeng came up big in the second half as he had three steals and three assists during a three-minute stretch as W&M erased an 11-point deficit with a 14-0 run. He then made 5-of-6 at the free throw line over the final 40 seconds to secure the victory.
The rookie guard opened the week with eight points on 2-of-3 from 3-point range to go with three rebounds, three steals, and three assists at UNCW on Jan. 20. Mbeng tallied four points and five assists in the Tribe’s 94-83 victory over Hampton on Jan. 23.
On the year, Mbeng leads the Tribe and ranks among the CAA leaders in assists (3.5), assist-to-turnover ratio (2.47), and steals (1.4). He is third in the league in assist-to-turnover ratio, fifth in assists, and eighth in steals. Mbeng also ranks among the top freshmen nationally in all three categories as well, coming in fourth nationally among rookies in assist-to-turnover ratio, 11th in assists and 15th in steals.
The Tribe hits the road to face Campbell on Thursday, Jan. 30. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. from Buies Creek, N.C., and the game will be broadcast on FloCollege. Fans can listen into the Tribe Sports Network with Jay Colley on the call. The Tide 92.3 FM in Williamsburg is the flagship station of the Tribe Sports Network.
