PacWest Weekly Awards (Jan. 22)

IRVINE, Calif. -- Senior forward Latrell Williams of Academy of Art men's basketball has been named Defender of the Week by the Pacific West Conference for the week of Jan. 15 - Jan. 21 for his performances against UH Hilo on Jan. 15 and Dominican on Jan. 20.

"Latrell had a great week defensively averaging 14.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals in our two games," said Head Coach Scott Waterman. "What made these stats even more impressive is that it included ART U's all-time rebounding record which has stood for over a decade. I'm really proud of the effort Latrell brings to this end of the court."

Williams contributed to two victories for the Urban Knights this week, as he helped bring the squad up to first place in the PacWest Conference standings (8-2) while he collected 10.5 defensive rebounds a game, recorded four steals plus two blocks, played in 34.5 minutes per contest, found a new season-high 18 rebounds in a game, and became the new ART U career leader in rebounding with 628 to date.

Williams has more than proven his worth among the current PacWest individual statistical leaders, as the Gary, Ind. native collects 8.6 rebounds a game (second) and stands with 2.2 steals per game (tied for first).

This weekly award is the third Williams has received this year (Player of the Week on Dec. 11/Defender of the Week on Jan. 8), fifth in his career, and it is the third Defender of the Week award for an Urban Knight of ART U men's basketball this season (Treylon Payne on Dec. 4).