NKU’s McDonald earns Horizon League Player of the Week honor after shooting 71 percent from field

NKyTribune staff

After becoming only the sixth player in conference history to reach the 1,000-rebound plateau, Northern Kentucky University basketball standout Drew McDonald has been named the Nike Horizon League Player of the Week.

This marks the fifth player of the week award of the season and ninth of McDonald’s career, which is tied for the third-most in league history.

NKU’s Drew McDonald (34) has earned Horizon League Player of the Week for the fifth time this season. (Photo by Jeff McCurry)

The Cold Spring native corralled his 1,000th career rebound with the first board of the game against Detroit Mercy on Thursday night. McDonald went on to post a 20-point, eight-rebound, five-assist game in just 21 minutes of action against the Titans. He converted 8-of-9 field goals in that game as well.

McDonald closed the weekend with a dominant 21-point, 13-rebound performance against Oakland. It marked the 12th double-double of the season for McDonald, who closed the two-game homestand averaging 20.5 points and 10.5 rebounds while shooting 71 percent (17-of-24) from the floor and 64 percent (7-of-11) from 3-point range.

The nine player of the week accolades from the league office ties McDonald with Oakland’s Kay Felder and Valparaiso’s Alec Peters for the third-most weekly awards in league history.

NKU’s record books are being rewritten by McDonald. He ranks fourth all-time at NKU with 1,926 career points and is the all-time record holder with 1,020 rebounds. Not only is McDonald one of five active players in the 1,900-point, 1,000-rebound club in Division I, he also has the seventh-most double-doubles among active players.

McDonald, a two-time Horizon League Preseason Player of the Year and two-time league first team honoree, is a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award, as well as a candidate for the Lou Henson Award presented to the nation’s best mid-major player.

NKU is 20-6 overall and is atop the Horizon League standings with a 10-3 record, one game ahead of Wright State. The Norse face the Raiders on the road this Friday at 9 p.m. That game will also be televised nationally on ESPNU.

(Information compiled from NKU Athletics Communications and staff reports)