February 2, 2015

ST. LOUIS – In a two-point win, a single defensive play can make the difference.  Ronnie Carlwell of the Chicago Force on Friday made a boatload of them.  For that reason, Carlwell has been named the Midwest Professional Basketball Association Player of the Week for the week ending February 1, 2015, the league announced today.

                    Carlwell recorded an unusual double-double against the Gateway Steam in the Force’s 104-102 win at Kroc Center.  Carlwell didn’t score a single point, but racked up 13 blocked shots to go along with 14 rebounds. The monster defensive effort likely won the game for the Force, and singlehandedly put Carlwell into the league lead for total blocks and blocks-per-game average.

                    In that same game, Derrick McDonald earned strong consideration for the weekly honor, scoring 29 points and grabbing 16 rebounds.  The night before at Kroc Center, the Windy City Groove’s Nate Fuqua scored 27 points and tallied 10 boards in a loss to Champaign to earn a look.

                    Anthony Slack of the Bloomington Flex was another top contender, as he scored 21 points, snatched 13 rebounds, and blocked six shots Thursday in a 102-81 win over the previously undefeated Champaign Swarm.

                    Complete league statistics can be found on the MPBA website, www.theMPBA.com.

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The mission of the MPBA is to attract the top minor league basketball players, coaches, owners and staff members from across the United States, and to provide that talent with the opportunity to develop their skills in a professional environment; the MPBA will also provide its fans and supporters with a fun, value-based entertainment experience, as well as incorporate community outreach programs into its members’ operations.