CollegeHoopsnet.com’s Unsung Player of the Week

December 31, 2003

CollegeHoopsnet.com announced that Fairfield’s Deng Gai was named the nation’s Unsung Player of the Week, for the period ending December 31^st, 2003. The 6-9 junior led the Stags to a 2-1 record, including a near-championship at the Rainbow Classic in Honolulu, HI. In the final game, Gai scored 17 points and hauled in 18 rebounds in the 50-49 overtime loss to Hawaii.

For the week, Gai averaged 14.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, and an impressive 5.3 blocks in three games against Bowling Green, Pepperdine, and Hawaii. On the season, the Sudanese native is averaging 14.4 points, 10.4 rebounds and 5.6 blocks. He leads the nation in block shots, after having finished 4^th last season with 3.7 per game. Gai’s defensive presence keeps Fairfield in every game, and they haven’t given up more than 72 points yet. His 18 rebound night also moved him into the nation’s top 20 in rebounding.

Gai, who was born in Sudan and also spent time in Egypt, has been a major factor in Fairfield’s recent turnaround. Last year, the Stags won 19 games and made the NIT, after winning only 12 the previous season. This year, Fairfield is off to a 7-2 start, with both losses coming in overtime.

This week’s finalists for Unsung Player of the Week honors included Belmont senior Adam Marks, BYU’s Rafael Araujo, and Providence forward Ryan Gomes.

Past CHN Unsung Players of the Week

This is the 1^st award-winner of the season

About CollegeHoopsnet.com & the Unsung Player of the Week

Each week, members of CHN’s editorial board vote on the week’s top Unsung Player. The award goes to a player who consistently evades the eye of the national media despite impressive accomplishments. CHN is a nationally respected college basketball website, featuring daily coverage of dozens of teams and conferences across the country.

For more information, visit http://www.Collegehoopsnet.com