Xavier's Simmons chosen GCAC Player of the Week

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Anthony Simmons, whose resurgence helped the Gold Rush win two road games, is the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week in men's basketball for Jan. 2-8.

Simmons, a 6-foot-8 junior forward from Rochester, N.Y., and a graduate of Allendale Columbia School, averaged 16.5 points, nine rebounds, two blocked shots and shot 75 percent from the floor during the Gold Rush's 2-0 week. He scored 17 points in a 79-70 victory at New Orleans to help the XU men earn their first victory against the Privateers since 1974. Then he produced his first double-double of the season — 16 points, a career-high-tying 13 rebounds and a career-high four blocked shots — in a 76-70 victory against Philander Smith. Simmons had 10 points and 11 rebounds in the first half against the Panthers.

Simmons is averaging 9.9 points and 5.3 rebounds and shooting 67.6 percent from the floor this season. He has played in 12 games and started seven. He scored in double figures in the past three games after averaging 4.6 points in the previous five games.

Simmons is the fourth XU player this season to be named GCAC Player of the Week and the second in a row. Simmons also won the award as a sophomore.

Xavier, 10-4 and tied for 18th in the NAIA Division I coaches poll, will play GCAC and city rival SUNO at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at The Barn.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

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