Army Black Knights Guard Earns Fourth Patriot League Player of the Week Honor

Guard Jalen Rucker has been named Patriot League Player of the Week for his fourth time this season.
Army's Jalen Rucker brings the ball into play during a game versus Fairleigh Dickinson University on November 20, 2024.
Army's Jalen Rucker brings the ball into play during a game versus Fairleigh Dickinson University on November 20, 2024. / Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Army West Point Black Knights star guard Jalen Rucker has continued to push for success throughout the season, helping lead his team to victory.

This week, Rucker made history after earning the Patriot League Player of the Week award for the second consecutive time — this is the first time a Patriot League player has been awarded the honor back-to-back, according to the Black Knights basketball website.

An announcement was made on the Army Men's Basketball X page regarding his award:

"Congrats to our guy Jalen Rucker for winning Patriot League Player of the Week for the second consecutive week and for the fourth time this season."

"The senior guard earned his fourth Patriot League Player of the Week honor this season, finishing this week averaging 26 points a game while shooting 67 percent from the floor, filled with epic moments including a buzzer-beater to take down Lafayette."

Rucker's buzzer-beater took place on Wednesday at Christl Arena as time expired, ending the game with 29 points.

With his impressive performance, the Army Black Knights took home the win against the Lafayette Leopards with a close score of 70-68.

Considering the number of points he has produced and his consistent performance on the court this season, it isn't shocking that he's received numerous acknowledgements.

This marks the seventh time Rucker has received the Patriot League Player of the Week award in his basketball career.

"The Patriot League men's basketball players of the week are selected in a vote by League media members and each school's men's basketball athletics communications contacts, who are not eligible to vote for their student-athletes," as explained by the official Patriot League website.

Rucker will need to keep his momentum going as the Black Knights approach their upcoming game on Wednesday, Jan. 22 against Holy Cross.


Published
Maria Aldrich
MARIA ALDRICH

Maria Aldrich graduated from SUNY Potsdam with a degree in Exercise Science and a minor in Wilderness Education. While earning her degrees, she learned the fundamentals of climbing, wilderness travel, and leadership in the backcountry. These skills built upon Maria's lifelong passion for the outdoors. Following graduation, she began working in the outdoor recreation field, serving individuals with disabilities to help them access outdoor pursuits including hiking, paddling, horseback riding, and snowshoeing. The following year, Maria moved to the Adirondack Mountains in New York State to continue working towards a life of adventure and writing. She has continued rock and ice climbing, hiking in the High Peaks of the Adirondacks, and paddling through various rivers while documenting her experiences through writing. When Maria isn’t adventuring in the mountains, she can be found reading a book, fishing on a shoreline, or spending time with family.