University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Gaines Named C-USA Player-Of-The-Week
12/2/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Gaines Named C-USA Player-Of-The-Week
Hattiesburg, Miss. - Southern Miss' Charles Gaines, a 6-7, 220-pound junior forward, is the Conference USA Player-Of-The-Week for the week ending Dec. 1.
Gaines becomes just the third Golden Eagle player ever to win the award. Vandarel Jones earned the honor in the final week of the 2000-01 season, and David Wall was the recipient in February, 2000, becoming the first Southern Miss player to win the award.
Gaines has helped the Golden Eagles to a 4-0 start by recording a double-double in each of the four games, including all three Southern Miss contests last week. In an 82-60 win over Jackson State on Nov. 25, Gaines poured in 34 points and grabbed 12 boards. Against Troy State on Nov. 27, a 77-70 win, he posted a 13-point, 13-rebound performance and concluded the week with 19 points and 13 rebounds in an 89-78 victory over South Alabama on Nov. 30.
Gaines, who is playing is his first games in more than a year after transferring from Southwest Missouri State, is averaging 24.8 points and 12.5 rebounds per game after beginning the year with 33 points and 11 rebounds in USM?s 78-70 season opening win over Alcorn State.
In those four games, he also is shooting .615 (32-52) from the field, a solid .700 (35-50) from the free throw line, has 18 offensive rebounds and has picked up three assists, a team-best six blocks and four steals.