East Carolina’s Jeremy Sheppard has been named the American Athletic Conference’s Rookie of the Week for his performances in a pair of Pirates victories. The 6-foot-1 combo guard posted career highs in scoring in both games by hitting for nine points against Hampton, then posting a 13-point, eight-assist effort in Saturday’s impressive 69-56 victory against NC Central. He also had five rebounds and two steals in the game. Sheppard, who was suspended for the season’s first three games because of a team violation, made seven of 11 field goals attempts for the week and was 4 of 7 from 3-point range. “Back to back, these are the two best games he’s had,” coach Jeff Lebo said after the Central game. “He’s got a long way to go yet, but he’s getting better. I thought he was outstanding taking care of the ball, making plays, he gave us another ballhandler with speed with the ball and he shot it well.”
