Feb. 13, 2012
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By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF sophomore forward Isaiah Sykes (Detroit, Mich.) was selected as the Conference USA Men's Basketball Player of the Week Monday, the league office announced. Sykes averaged 21.0 points and 10.0 rebounds while shooting an incredible 72.0 percent from the field against Marshall and Southern Miss last week.
The 6-foot-5 sophomore made 18-of-25 shots from the field during the week. Against league leader Southern Miss in Hattiesburg, Sykes recorded a career-high 27 points on 11-of-14 shooting. He added 10 rebounds, with five coming on the offensive end, and three steals against the Golden Eagles.
Sykes began the week by recording 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting in a win over Marshall. The Detroit native also had 10 rebounds and three steals as he posted his first of two double-doubles during the week.
The conference honor is the first career award for Sykes, who is one of the most improved players in the nation this season. After averaging 4.0 points and 3.2 boards as a freshman in 2010-11, he is averaging 12.2 points and 6.6 rebounds this year. Sykes is averaging 13.1 points and 7.5 rebounds in league games.
UCF players have now garnered C-USA Player of the Week honors on four occasions this season, with junior forward Keith Clanton (Orlando, Fla.) earning two honors and senior guard A.J. Rompza (Chicago, Ill.) claiming the award once.
Sykes and the Knights will return to action Saturday when UCF hosts East Carolina at 7 p.m. at the UCF Arena.