Pair of Flyers named A10 men’s, women’s rookie of the week

Due in large part to pouring in 22 points in a close 67-65 loss to La Salle Dec. 30, freshman forward Mustapha Amzil was named A10 men’s basketball rookie of the week. Photo courtesy of Griffin Quinn, Flyer News.

Peter Burtnett
Sports Editor

University of Dayton men’s basketball forward Mustapha Amzil and women’s basketball guard Makira Cook have each been named Atlantic 10 rookie of the week after impressive performances.

For the men’s team, Amzil averaged 18.5 points and 6.5 rebounds over his first two games with the Flyers, shooting 55.6 percent (16-27) from the field, 40 percent (4-10) from beyond the arc and 78.4 percent(29-37) from the line.

In a 67-65 loss to LaSalle, Amzil poured in 22 points and 7 rebounds after participating in just three team practices. Thrust into the starting line-up to replace Chase Johnson, Amzil then scored 15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals in 35 minutes of action in a 74-65 win over George Mason.

With Johnson no longer playing this season, Amzil will need to continue to step up for the continued success for the Flyers, who are low on depth and stands at 5-2, 1-1 in A10 play.

For the women’s team, Cook averaged 11.0 points, 2.5 assists, and shot 61.5 percent from the field in her last two games, one of which was an 18-point outburst off the bench in a 56-47 win over St. Bonaventure on Jan. 1.

Cook was 6-9 from the field against the Bonnies, including 3-4 from three-point range. She scored 4 points in a 64-48 win over Duquesne Sunday.

Cook’s role is different than Amzil’s, as the women’s team has exceptional depth, being able to play all 12 active players in Sunday’s game, but is no less important to the success of the women’s team, which sits at 3-1 and 2-0 in A10 play.

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