Ater earns NEAC Player of the Week Honors

The North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) announced its student-athlete of the week selections, naming Morrisville State men's basketball forward, Kucjok Ater (Syracuse, N.Y./Bishop Grimes) its player of the week for the week ending February 5.



Ater led Morrisville State to three conference victories last week, posting averages of 18.3 points, 9/7 rebounds, an assist, a steal and 1.3 blocks per game, while shooting 73 percent from the floor (19-for-26) and 81 percent (17-for-21) from the free throw line, keeping the Mustangs undefeated in conference action at 11-0.



Ater exploded over the weekend, posting a game and career-best 25 points on 11-of-14 shooting from the field, while grabbing 12 rebounds (eight offensive) and three steals in the 76-67 victory over Gallaudet Saturday.



On Sunday, he posted 21 points and pulled down 11 boards to keep Morrisville State atop the conference in a 77-68 victory over Penn State Harrisburg, handing the Nittany Lions their first conference loss. On the day, Ater hit 6-of-9 from the floor, in addition to 9-of-11 from the free throw line, which included going 4-for-4 in the closing seconds of the contest to seal the win.



Ater is second on the team in points per game (12.7) and leads the team with 6.7 rebounds per game for the Mustangs, while shooting a conference best 58.2 percent from the floor.



The sophomore is majoring in individual studies at Morrisville State. He is the son of Persikila Depmac of Syracuse.