Feb. 25, 2002

LAS VEGAS - UNLV junior guard Marcus Banks was named the Mountain West Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week Monday after leading the Runnin' Rebels to a 2-0 record last week.

Banks averaged 29 points, five rebounds, four assists and 2.5 steals over two games last week. He shot 53 percent from the field (16-of-30), including 5-of-6 from 3-point range, and 88 percent from the free throw line (21-of-24).

He opened the week with 22 points, six rebounds and six assists, while only committing one turnover in a 96-91 overtime victory at Colorado State last Monday. Banks shot 5-of-14 from the floor and hit 10-of-12 free throws in the game.

In UNLV's second overtime win of the week vs. San Diego State Saturday (83-76), he scored a career-high 36 points off 11-of-16 field goals, including 3-of-4 3-pointers, and hit 11-of-12 free throws. Banks nailed a 3-pointer with four seconds remaining in regulation to force the extra period vs. the Aztecs. He also grabbed four rebounds and had four steals in the victory.

The 36-point effort is a MWC-high this season and the fourth highest scoring total in league history.

This marks Banks' second weekly award this season.