VILLANOVA, Pa., - Senior forward Jermaine Samuels was selected as the BIG EAST Player of the Week Monday.

After missing all but one practice as a part of Villanova's most recent COVID-19 pause, the native of Franklin, Mass., played an instrumental role in a pair of Wildcats' BIG EAST victories last week.

On Tuesday, Samuels came off the bench to provide 20 points and nine rebounds to help the Wildcats knock off Seton Hall 76-74 at Finneran Pavilion. Samuels also added two steals and an assists in 31:30 of action.

"What Jermaine Samuels did was amacing," stated Villanova head coach Jay Wright after the game. "To be able to play those kind of minutes against a tough team like Seton Hall after one day of practice is incredible."

On Saturday, the 6-7 Samuels registered his first career double-double, with 10 points and 10 rebounds in a 71-56 victory over Providence. The Wildcats outscored the Friars by 24 points when Samuels was on the court in that contest.

Samuels averages 9.2 points and 7.1 rebounds per game for the Wildcats (10-1 overall, 5-0 BIG EAST).