CHICAGO – UIC newcomer Marcus Ottey has been named Horizon League Freshman of the Week for his outstanding contributions to a pair of victories by the Flames last week, the conference announced Monday, Nov. 21.
 
The Ajax, Ontario, Canada, native poured in 13.5 points, while grabbing 4.0 rebounds per game in UIC's wins against UTSA and Trinity Christian last week. He shot 66.7 percent (8-of-12) from the floor and 71.4 percent (10-of-14) from the charity stripe.
 
Ottey started the week by scoring a career-high 15 points against UTSA at the UIC Pavilion on Nov. 16. He made three of his four field-goal attempts against the Roadrunners while sinking 9-of-10 free throws. The freshman also handed out a pair of assists, grabbed two rebounds and added a steal against UTSA.
 
In his team's second game last week, Ottey was one of six Flames in double figures as he scored 12 points against Trinity Christian on Nov. 19. His 12 points were part of a 102-point offensive outburst for the Flames; it was the first time any UIC team eclipsed the century mark since January 2003. Ottey went 5-of-8 from the field against the Trolls, and one memorable basket came when he rolled in a layup as time expired in the first half to cap a 15-2 half-ending run for UIC. The 6-foot-2-inch guard also hauled in a career-best six rebounds in 21 minutes against Trinity Christian.
 
This is Ottey's first weekly recognition from the Horizon League. Prior to Monday, UIC's last Freshman of the Week honoree was Dikembe Dixson on Feb. 22, 2015. Dixson set a Horizon League record last season by claiming this honor eight times. Fellow sophomore Michael Kolawole was also a Horizon League Freshman of the Week once last season.
 
Ottey and the Flames will visit DeKalb, Ill., this week for the NIU Thanksgiving Classic. UIC's first game of the three-game tournament is set for Wednesday, Nov. 23, when it meets Elon at the Convocation Center at 4:30 p.m. CT.