Shamburger WAC POW

San Jose State’s Keith Shamburger has been named the Verizon Western Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for the week of Dec. 26-Jan. 1. The honor marks the first career WAC Player of the Week award for Shamburger.

Shamburger, a sophomore guard from Los Angeles, Calif. (Serra HS), was named Most Valuable Player at the Elgin Baylor Classic after leading the Spartans to the Classic title with a 2-0 record. Shamburger helped SJSU defeat Coppin State 81-66 and Seattle U 84-74 to claim the title. The Elgin Baylor Classic title marks SJSU’s first in-season tournament sweep since winning the 1996 Cable Car Classic.

In the win over Coppin State, Shamburger helped San Jose State wipe out a 15-point first-half deficit with three three-point baskets in the final 5:37 of the opening half as the Spartans took a 38-36 halftime lead. His six free throws in the final three minutes dispelled any hopes of Coppin State staging a comeback against the Spartans. Shamburger also helped SJSU set a single-game school record with 16 three-point baskets by making four in the Coppin State victory. He finished the game against Coppin State with 18 points, seven assists and four rebounds.

Shamburger ignited a 10-0 rally in the championship game with a pair of free throws with 7:51 remaining to break a 50-50 tie with Seattle U, giving the Spartans a lead they did not relinquish the rest of the night. He scored 16 points, dished out seven assists and pulled down four rebounds in the win over Seattle U.

On the week, Shamburger averaged 17.0 points, 7.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game. He committed only three turnovers and was credited with one steal at the Classic.

Other nominees:

* Fresno State sophomore guard Tyler Johnson
* Hawai‘i junior forward Joston Thomas
* Idaho senior guard Deremy Geiger
* Louisiana Tech junior guard Brandon Gibson
* Nevada junior guard Malik Story
* New Mexico State senior forward Wendell McKines.