It’s the first time in his career that he’s been selected the WAC Player of the Week.
Saturday, Nephawe led NM State with his best game of the season, posting 20 points with 12 rebounds and a blocked shot in a 77-63 win at Missouri-Kansas City. It was his third double-double in seven games since returning from a foot injury that kept him sidelined for seven weeks.
Thursday, Chili notched eight points with 11 boards and a block in the Ags 69-61 overtime win at Chicago State
Nephawe averaged 14 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 assists while shooting 76.9 percent on the week.
“Chili is playing big boy basketball right now,” said NM State coach Marvin Menzies. “He’s getting it done inside and he’s communicating with his teammates.
“He’s capsulated what it means to be a senior and he’s leading our guys.”
Nephawe is averaging 8.9 points, ,7.2 rebounds a game on the season and shooting 55.1 percent from the floor. He ranks second in the WAC in field goal percentage and fourth rebounding.
However, in WAC games only, Chili leads the conference rebounding (9.1 per game) and field goal percentage (64.4 percent).
The Aggies are back in action on Thursday night when they host a rematch with Seattle U. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Pan Am Center.