ST. LOUIS (Feb. 13, 2024) – For the third time this season, the Missouri Valley Conference selected UIC women's basketball graduate student forward
Keimari Rimmer (Chicago, Ill./Proviso East/DePaul) as the conference's Newcomer of the Week on Tuesday. Rimmer first received the honor on Jan. 3, following her 21-point showing in UIC's conference opener, and again on Jan. 23 after recording a double-double at Belmont.
"Keimari is an incredible young woman, with great charisma and always wearing a smile. She has consistently put in the work," said head coach
Ashleen Bracey. "She has the ability to impact the game in simple yet impactful ways that contribute to winning. She can rebound offensively and defensively and can get high efficiency points in the paint, which to me, is an anchor to a team being successful. Witnessing her growth over the past eight to 10 months has been remarkable, and I am extremely happy for her. She has fully committed herself, and the more she continues to do so, the more greatness you'll see from her. Keimari is entirely capable of earning the title of the Valley's Newcomer of the Year, and I believe the final stretch of these last eight games will tell us a lot."
Rimmer was a key contributor in UIC's wins over Evansville and Indiana State last week, averaging 18 points and nine rebounds per game. The versatile player tallied her fourth double-double this season in the Feb. 9 win over Evansville with game highs of 20 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks in just 25 minutes. Less than 48 hours later, Rimmer nearly recorded another double-double, finishing with 16 points, eight rebounds and two steals in Sunday's victory over Indiana State.
For the season, Rimmer stands among the top 20 in The Valley in field-goal percentage (10
th – .493), steals (10
th – 1.7 spg.), rebounds (12
th – 6.7 rpg.) and scoring (19
th – 10.9 ppg.).
Rimmer is one of two UIC players to receive a weekly honor from the MVC this season, along with junior forward
Makiyah Williams (Chicago, Ill./Trinity/Marquette), who earned the same award on Nov. 20. Rimmer is also one of three Flames chosen as MVC Newcomer of the Week since UIC joined The Valley prior to last season.
UIC (14-9, 7-5 MVC) will be back on the road Thursday, taking on Illinois State at CEFCU Arena in Normal, Ill. The Flames and Redbirds will tip off at 6:30 p.m. (CT), with the weekday matchup streamed on ESPN+ and live stats available at
UICFlames.com.
TICKETS AND MORE
Tickets for all UIC home basketball games can be purchased online through Ticketmaster and
UICFlames.com/Tickets, as well as through the UIC Athletics Ticket Office (312-413-UIC1) or by visiting the Credit Union 1 Arena box office on game day.
For more information on UIC women's basketball, fans are encouraged to visit
UICFlames.com, or follow the Flames on social media through X (
@UIC_WBB and
@UICFlames) and Instagram (
@uic_wbb and
@uicflames).
#FireUpFlames | #ChicagosCollegeTeam
