ATLANTA – After dropping a season-high 23 points against the 3rd-ranked Mid-Major program in the country South Dakota State, Haanif Cheatham was named the ASUN Player and Newcomer of the Week, the league office announced Monday afternoon.

"I'm excited for Haanif but more importantly our team," said head coach Michael Fly. "We talk all the time about winners getting rewarded and Haanif was a big part of an important victory on Friday."

Cheatham (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Marquette/Pembroke Pines HS) was an instrumental part of FGCU's comeback win over the Jackrabbits last Friday night in Alico Arena. Trailing by seven points (37-30) coming out of the break, the Fort Lauderdale native gave FGCU the lead (41-40) just under 17 minutes after he was fouled on a made layup and connected on the free throw attempt.

SDSU regained the lead at the 12:23 mark after a three-pointer was good from Owen King but on the ensuing possession Cheatham sank a trey of his own to put the Eagles back up (52-51). The Jackrabbits went up as much as three points (72-69) with three minutes left as FGCU would take the lead for good after a steal from Schadrac Casimir (Samford, Conn./Iona/Trinity Catholic HS) with 1:25 on the clock turned into a layup, giving the Eagles a 74-72 advantage. From there, FGCU went on to outscore SDSU 10-6 en route to the 84-78 final.

Cheatham dropped 13 of his 23 points in the second half as he capped off his night shooting a scorching 63 percent from the field (8-of-16) in a season-high 34 minutes. On the boards, he snagged five rebounds while dishing out three assists.

UP NEXT
FGCU takes on Toledo (2-1) in the Gulf Coast Showcase Monday night (Nov. 19) at Hertz Arena at 7:30 pm. The Rockets are currently ranked #13 in the Collegeinsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 Poll.

SOCIAL CENTRAL
For up-to-the-minute information and behind-the-scenes access to the men's basketball program, follow @FGCU_MBB on Twitter and Instagram. Like us on Facebook at /FGCUMBB and watch us on Snapchat at FGCU_MBB.

YOUNG ALUMNI
FGCU recently announced a program in which young alumni – those who have graduated from FGCU within the past five years – can save between 30-70 percent off Priority Level 4 and 5 section season tickets, in addition to receiving discounted Eagles Club membership, which is needed for select premier seats inside Alico Arena. Those interested in taking advantage of this offer are asked to click here or visit FGCUAthletics.com/YoungAlumni to complete a form. Following that, an FGCU Ticket Office representative will be in contact to set up an account. For more information, call 239-590-7145, email tickets@fgcu.edu or visit the Alico Arena Ticket Office Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
 
COACH FLY
Michael Fly was introduced as the 4th FGCU men's basketball head coach on April 5, 2018. He had spent the previous seven years as an assistant coach on the Eagles' staff. In that time, he helped FGCU to a 156-86 record (.643 winning percentage), including six ASUN Tournament Final appearances, three NCAA Tournament victories, three ASUN Tournament titles and three ASUN Regular Season Championships, two berths in the NIT, a CIT appearance and a run to the Sweet Sixteen. He has coached a dozen all-conference selections while with the Green and Blue, including two ASUN Player of the Year honors in Sherwood Brown and Brandon Goodwin, and two ASUN Defensive Player of the Year selections in Bernard Thompson and Demetris Morant. Of the top-10 players in career points at FGCU, Fly has helped develop eight of them, including all-time leading scorer Thompson (1,835). Additionally, the Kentucky alumnus has coached both the ASUN all-time assists leader Brett Comer (845; 24th in NCAA history) and FGCU all-time leading rebounder Chase Fieler (714).
 
SUPPORT THE CAUSE
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.