With the winning ways established by the NIU men’s basketball team this season, it is not surprising that the recognition and the honors are starting to add up.

NIU forward Donnell Thomas, who performed magnificently against DePaul, Wisconsin-Green Bay, and Illinois Benedictine last week, was rewarded for his efforts by being named Mid-Continent Conference Player of the Week.

The 6-4 Thomas averaged 20.0 points and 10.3 rebounds a game while posting up against much taller opponents. Thomas’ 17 rebounds against DePaul were a season high. Thomas appreciates the recognition, but credits his teammates for his success.

“I’ll take it (player of the week), but I have to attribute the honor to my teammates,” said Thomas. “We are all working hard and I’ll rebound, score and do what I can to help the team.”

Huskie guard Donald Whiteside has also been receiving attention of late as his stellar play has been the spark plug for the Huskies’ success.

More people are starting to take notice of Whiteside, who is coming off a week where he averaged over 15 points a game including a season-high 18 points against DePaul.

“The recognition is good and I appreciate it, but I’m a team player,” said Whiteside. “I try to be the glue of the team, and I try to keep the team focused.”

When asked about Thomas’ naming as conference player of the week, Whiteside had nothing but praise for his teammate.

“Donnell greatly deserves the award,” Whiteside said. “At 6-4 he’s playing against bigger guys, but I don’t think it will be the last time he will get the award.”

NIU head coach Jim Molinari also feels that Thomas deserves the award and sees Thomas as the consummate team leader.

“It’s a great honor for Donnell to get player of the week,” said Molinari. “He played great against DePaul with the 17 rebounds and played well against Green Bay. He really played big against Illinois Benedictine when we were struggling.

“When you look for the raw qualities in a leader you need someone who takes the initiative and who is always around the action, and Donnell does that.”

The 5-10 Whiteside also received praise from Molinari for his continued outstanding performance this season.

“Donald loves the game and he has a great attitude and love for the game that you can’t teach,” said Molinari. “He is a great competitor and he really does a lot of different things on the court. He does everything you can ask of him.”

Prior to the DePaul game, Whiteside was No. 1 in the nation in free throw percentage and he is currently among the nation’s leaders in 3-point field goal percentage.

Molinari feels that Whiteside deserves to win the Naismith Award, the annual award given to the nation’s best collegiate basketball player under six-feet tall.

“Donald is a special player and a special person,” said Molinari. “He should be a favorite for the Naismith award.”