Jan. 18, 2005

RICHMOND, Va. - George Mason University freshman Will Thomas (Baltimore, Md./Mount St. Joseph) garnered the Colonial Athletic Association men's basketball Rookie of the Week award, the association announced Monday (Jan. 17), for all games played from Monday, Jan. 10 through Sunday, Jan. 16. It is Thomas' first CAA honor, and it is the third weekly award for any Mason player this season.

Thomas averaged 8.5 points and 7.5 rebounds while shooting 77.8 percent (7-9) from the floor and 75 percent (3-4) from the free throw line in George Mason's two CAA games last week. The 6-7 forward, who started both contests, posted his first double-double with career-highs of 12 points and 11 rebounds in a loss at Old Dominion and chipped in five points and four boards in an overtime setback at Delaware. He also collected two steals, two blocked shots and had one assist. For the season, Thomas leads all CAA freshmen with 5.5 rebounds per game.

Thomas is averaging 4.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game through 14 games this season. He has started the last 12 contests, averaging 23.0 minutes per outing. He leads the team in field goal percentage at 60.0 percent and is second on the squad in blocked shots with 10.

George Mason (7-7, 2-3 CAA) looks to snap a two-game losing skid when they host Drexel (7-6, 3-2 CAA) Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Patriot Center.