USU Eastern Press Release:

PRICE, UTAH – Utah State Eastern sophomore Rafael Monteiro has been named the Scenic West Athletic Conference mens basketball Player of the Week.

Last weekend Rafael averaged 20.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game as the Eagles went 1-1 in the Mustang Invitational.

This season Monteiro is averaging 14.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 62.1% from the field.

USU Eastern Head Coach Vando Becheli said that with the sacrifices and hard work Rafael has made, he is glad he received the recognition.

“He comes to the gym early in the morning before class, sometimes by himself and sometimes with Coach Ray. He deserves this because he is such a hard worker,” said Becheli.

Monteiro spent the 2016-2017 at NCAA Division III Wisconsin-Superior and started 25 games while earning All-UMAC Honorable Mention. As a freshman averaged 15.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game and shot 46.2 percent from the floor.

Utah State Eastern mens basketball hosts a pair of home games on Friday and Saturday against Impact Academy.

Friday’s game tips off at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday’s game starts at 5 p.m. inside the BDAC on Utah State Eastern campus.