When Marshall Guilmette was selecting a college, he knew that he wanted to go somewhere he would have a chance to make an immediate impact.

The former Harrison High School standout settled on East Carolina. So far, it seems like he made a good decision.

Guilmette, a 6-foot-10 forward, was recently named the Conference USA Freshman of the Week after averaging 9.5 points and seven rebounds in wins over Methodist and UNC-Greensboro. Coming off the bench against Methodist, he narrowly missed his first career double-double with a nine point, nine rebound performance.

Guilmette said it feels great to know that he is helping his team.

“It’s great to know that my hard work is going some where,” he said. “It’s good knowing that I am able to help the team out. When I was looking for a college I wanted to go somewhere that I would be able to help right away and that is an opportunity that I have had here.”

Guilmette said he began preparing for college as soon as the Hoyas wrapped up their 2011-12 season with a loss to Milton in the Class AAAAA state semifinals.

“I knew I wanted to have an impact wherever I was going to go,” he said. “It was something I was working toward ever since then.”

Guilmette has made the adjustment to playing at the college level quickly, something he attributes to his teammates.

“I’ve gotten used to (the speed of the game), but that was the biggest thing,” said Guilmette. “The preseason workouts helped with that and just getting out on the court and playing pickup, workouts with the guys and being with them as much as possible. Just seeing the speed and being around it as much as I could helped me get adjusted to it.”

As for the rest of the season, Guilmette would like to help the Pirates reach the NCAA tournament.

“I just want to be the best member of this team I can be and help however I can,” he said.

The 4-0 Pirates are in Atlanta to face Georgia State at 7 p.m. today.