Jan. 14, 2013
Colorado Springs, Colo. – For the second time in the last three weeks, Alex Kirk has earned a Mountain West honor, being named Co-Player of the Week after leading UNM to a pair of home wins in its first 2-0 conference start in 11 years.
Kirk shared the award with Jamaal Franklin of San Diego State. It’s Kirk’s second time being honored this year,a nd it’s the second in the last three weeks. Kirk was honored two weeks ago after leading UNM to a 55-54 win at No. 8 Cincinnati. For Franklin, it’s his fourth career honor.
Kirk averaged 21.0 points and 11.5 rebounds per game as New Mexico opened Mountain West play 2-0 with home victories over then-No. 24/19 UNLV and Fresno State. In Wednesday’s 65-60 win over the Runnin’ Rebels, the sophomore center hit two 3-pointers while leading all scorers with 23 points, adding nine rebounds, one block, one assist and one steal. Against Fresno State, the Los Alamos, N.M., native scored 12 of his game-best 19 points in the second half, adding a career-high 14 rebounds, two steals and two blocks as the Lobos collected the 72-45 win. Kirk, who entered the week averaging just over 11 points per game, shot 57.7 percent from the field (15-of-26), including 50 percent (2-of-4) from 3-point range, and 76.9 percent (10-of-13) from the free throw line while averaging 31.5 minutes of action over the two-game stretch.
Kirk missed the 2011-12 season with a back injury, and actually went 603 days between games from the end of his freshman year to the start of his sophomore year. Kirk is averaging 12.5 points per game and 7.6 rebounds per game, and he leads UNM with 23 blocks.
Franklin averaged 21.5 points and 12.5 rebounds per game as San Diego State defeated Fresno State on the road and Colorado State at home in overtime to begin Mountain West play with a 2-0 mark.
2012-13 MW Men’s Basketball Players of the Week:
Nov. 12 Colton Iverson, Sr., C, Colorado State
Nov. 19 Deonte Burton, Jr., G, Nevada & Tony Snell, Jr., G, New Mexico
Nov. 26 Colton Iverson, Sr., C, Colorado State
Dec. 3 Derrick Marks, So., G, Boise State
Dec. 10 Anthony Bennett, Fr., F, UNLV
Dec. 17 Anthony Drmic, So., G/F, Boise State
Dec. 24 Pierce Hornung, Sr., F, Colorado State
Dec. 31 Alex Kirk, So., C, New Mexico
Jan. 7 Leonard Washington, Sr., F, Wyoming
Jan. 14 Alex Kirk, So., C, New Mexico & Jamaal Franklin, Jr., G, San Diego State