Release courtesy of Queens College Sports Information

NEW YORK – On Tuesday, Feb. 11 the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association announced Queens College women's basketball sophomore forward Nkiru Awaka (Hyde Park, N.Y.) was named Division II/III Player of the Week for the first time in her career.
 
The designation for games played Feb. 3-9, is unique in that it encompasses players from 49 Met area schools across Divisions II and III.
 
Having earned East Coast Conference Co-Player of the Week and Defensive Player honors on Monday, Feb. 10, the sophomore forward earns her second accolade of the week for the third time this year. Awaka was named to the MBWA Honorable Menton list back on January 21st and 28th.
 
Powered by a career night on Friday, Feb. 7 against Roberts Wesleyan Awaka recorded 30 points on 61.1% shooting on 11-of-18 made field goals and 8-of-10 from the charity stripe, 23 rebounds with 17 offensive and six defensive boards to go with four steals and one block as the Knights completed an ECC series sweep over the Redhawks. In a record-breaking night for the sophomore forward from Hyde Park, Awaka tied a career-best 11 made field goals for the third time this season, all three performances coming against ECC opponents, and recorded a career-best eight made free throws in the victory. The 23 rebounds matched the second-most effort in a single game and the first time since February 2008.
 
Since the calendar turned to 2025, the sophomore has found a new gear averaging 19.2 points, 14.3 rebounds, 2.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game to go with eight double-doubles in nine games.
 
Overall on the year, Awaka is averaging 13.0 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2.3 steals, 1.6 blocks, and 1.1 assists per game while shooting 57.5% from the field and 50.9% from the charity stripe.