Chico State Athletics

Those who have watched closely already knew Jordan Semple is a special player. After this weekend, so does everyone else. Semple was simply scintillating during the Wildcats’ split in Southern California over the weekend, averaging 25.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.

The junior from Arcata – this week’s Wildcat of the Week ¬– shot 65.4 percent from the field (17-of-26) and hit 3-of-5 from behind the 3-point line.

Semple poured in a career-high 26 points and hauled in 11 rebounds in an 84-81 loss at No. 19 Cal State San Bernardino Friday. Saturday versus UC San Diego, Semple finished with a game-high 25 points and grabbed 10 boards in just 28 minutes of action as Chico State topped the Tritons 73-50.

Semple has now posted three straight double-doubles and four on the season. And though he’s come off the bench in each of the Wildcats’ games, he boasts two of the team’s top three scoring outputs and the five best rebounding totals this season.

Semple leads the California Collegiate Athletic Association in rebounding at 8.8 per contest and he’s 22 boards shy of becoming the 12th Chico State player to reach 500 rebounds for his career. He already ranks fourth in school history with 69 career blocked shots.

The Wildcats return to Acker Gym this weekend to begin a stretch of eight home games in their next 10 outings. They host Cal State Dominguez Hills Friday and Cal State L.A. Saturday. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. both nights.