With a strong performance in his return to the starting lineup on Saturday, ISU men’s basketball forward Melvin Ejim was named the Big 12 Player of the Week on Monday.

Ejim came off the bench on Dec. 9 in the team’s win against Nebraska-Omaha, but returned to the starting lineup on Saturday as the team played in the inaugural Big Four Classic against in-state rival Drake at Wells Fargo Arena.

In the 86-77 victory, Ejim scored 21 points to go along with 11 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season and the 11th of his ISU career. Ejim scored 11 of his points on free throws and also dished out four assists in the team’s win.

The Toronto native is currently averaging 9.3 rebounds per game and has reached double-digits in rebounds in seven of the team’s 11 games. Both of those totals currently lead the conference. 

The Cyclones (8-3) will return to the court on Wednesday to take on UM-Kansas City in Kansas City, Mo. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.