WALTHAM, Mass. -- Junior
Sofia Berisha of
Old Tappan, New Jersey, and the women’s basketball team, and sophomore
Alex Zakheim of
Bergenfield, New Jersey, and the men’s basketball team, have been named the Brandeis University Athletes of the Week for the week ending November 30. The Brandeis Athlete of the Week program is presented by The Chateau Restaurant and Jake n JOES Sports Grille.
Zakheim earned University Athletic Association Player of the Week honors, while Berisha was named to the New England Women's Basketball Association Weekly Honor Roll. Both players were selected to the D3Hoops.com National Team of the Week.
Berisha, a transfer from Babson College, helped the Brandeis women defeat her former team, 64-52, on Nov. 24. She scored 17 points with seven rebounds, five assists and five steals, tying season- and career-highs in points and assists and setting a career-high in steals. Berisha and the Judges outscored the Beavers 18-5 in the second period to help clinch the victory. With the win, Brandeis moved to 6–0 for the first time since 2008.
For the season, Berisha is the Judges' second-leading scorer, averaging 11.2 points per game. She leads the squad with 42 assists and 14 steals and is third on the team with 7.0 rebounds per game.
The Judges, in their second season under head coach
Julie Prichett, will look to improve to 7-0 on Wednesday, December 3rd, when they take on Clark University at 6 p.m.
Zakheim paced the Brandeis men to a 1-1 record last week by averaging 25 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game, shooting 73% from the field, 50% from 3-point range and 73% from the line. In a 74-68 loss to Clark on Nov. 25, Zakheim scored a career-high 30 points on 11-13 from the field, 3-of-3 from deep and 5-of-6 from the line. In an 86-75 win over UMass Boston on Nov. 30, he notched a team-high 20 points on 8-of-13 overall, 1-of-3 from downtown, and 3-of-5 from the line, pacing five Judges in double figures as they scored a season-high and shot 58% from the field as a team. He also had six rebounds and seven assists against the Beacons.
Zakheim improved to 4th in the UAA in scoring at 19.0 points per game and fifth in assists (4.3 apg), while leading the league in steals with 17.
The 3-4 Judges, in their eighth season under head coach
Jean Bain, return to action on Wednesday, December 3rd with an exhibition game at Division I Yale, which can be seen on ESPN+. Their next official game is on Saturday, December 6th at home at 2 p.m. against Emmanuel College.
This is the tenth year that the Brandeis Athlete of the Week program has been presented by The Chateau Restaurant Group. The Athlete of the Year Program highlights top Brandeis student-athletes who have had an outstanding athletic achievement in the week prior. Each selected student-athlete will be featured on the Brandeis athletics homepage and inside the Chateau Waltham and Jake n JOES
Owned and operated by the Nocera Family, the Chateau Restaurant of Waltham opened in 1933 and set the standard for providing the tradition of Italian family dining, friendly service, and quality food at reasonable prices for its customers. Located on 195 School Street, with 900 seats, the Chateau is always ready to accommodate large parties.
The Nocera Family consists of 6 brothers who have always had a passion for playing sports. In 2010, the Nocera Family launched a new concept, Jake n JOES Sports Grille. Jake n JOES Waltham opened in 2014 and is the best place to watch a game and enjoy quality food.
"Brandeis student-athletes are fantastic role models in our community,” says Chateau President Joe Nocera, “They exemplify the ideals of excellence and commitment both on and off the playing field. The Chateau Waltham and Jake n JOES Waltham are proud to partner with Brandeis Athletics to continue to enhance a positive focus within the Waltham Community."
Berisha is a 2023 graduate of the Winchendon School.
Zahkeim is a 2024 graduate of Perkiomen (Pa.) High School.
For more information on Brandeis men's basketball, visit their web page at
https://brandeisjudges.com/sports/womens-basketball.
For more information on Brandeis men's basketball, visit their web page at
https://brandeisjudges.com/sports/mens-basketball.
For more information on Brandeis athletics, visit our web page at www.brandeisjudges.com or follow us on social media on X, Instagram and Facebook @BrandeisJudges.
