PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Little East Conference (LEC) announced its men’s basketball weekly awards Monday, recognizing UMass Dartmouth’s Camden DiChiara as Player of the Week and Eastern Connecticut’s Cooper Steele as Rookie of the Week for their performances during the opening week of the season.

Player of the Week: Camden DiChiara, UMass Dartmouth
Junior | Guard | Lincoln, R.I.

DiChiara averaged 18.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals across two games at the Lafrance Hospitality Tournament, earning All-Tournament Team honors. He totaled 37 points and 11 rebounds while shooting 45.2 percent from the field and connecting on seven 3-pointers.

DiChiara opened the season with 12 points, five rebounds and two steals in a 75-73 loss to SUNY Potsdam. He followed with 25 points, six rebounds, three steals, two assists and one block in an 84-69 victory over Baruch. DiChiara shot 9-of-17 from the field, including five 3-pointers, to help the Corsairs secure their first win of the season.

Rookie of the Week: Cooper Steele, Eastern Connecticut
Freshman | Guard | North Granby, Conn.

Steele scored 13 points in his collegiate debut, finishing third on the team in scoring during Eastern Connecticut’s season opener against SUNY New Paltz. He shot 5-of-8 from the field and 3-of-6 from 3-point range in the Warriors’ 76-62 loss.

Steele added three rebounds and one assist in 27 minutes, reaching double figures in his first career appearance.