After UCLA's impressive road win over top-ranked Kentucky this weekend, freshman power forward TJ Leaf received some recognition for his standout efforts, earning the Pac-12 Men's Basketball Player of the Week award.
Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award nominee TJ Leaf recorded a pair of double-doubles last week to help UCLA improve to 9-0, its best start in a decade, and climb to No. 2 in the latest AP Top 25, its highest ranking since Nov. 2007.
Leaf averaged 17.5 points on 67 percent shooting (16-24) and 11.5 rebounds while adding 3.5 assists and 1.5 blocks in 29.5 minutes in the Bruins' two victories. His week was capped by a 17-point, 13-rebound, 5-assist performance in UCLA's 97-92 upset of No. 1 Kentucky at Rupp Arena on Saturday.
The 6-10 forward from El Cajon, Calif., is ranked in the top 10 in the Pac-12 in scoring (8th, 17.2 ppg), rebounding (6th, 9.4 rpg) and field goal percentage (2nd, 67.4% FG).
Leaf's award marks the first time since the creation of the Conference's weekly award in 1983 that freshmen have earned the honor in three consecutive weeks (2016-17: TJ Leaf, Lonzo Ball, Charlie Moore). The three weekly honors by freshmen so far this season also matches the fourth-most by rookies in one season in league history (7 - 2007-08; 4 - 2014-15, 2006-07; 3 - 2016-17, 1995-96, 1989-90).
ALSO NOMINATED: Lauri Markkanen, ARIZONA; Ivan Rabb, CALIFORNIA; Tyler Dorsey, OREGON; Drew Eubanks, OREGON STATE; Chimezie Metu, USC; Markelle Fultz, WASHINGTON.
By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services
No comments:
Post a Comment
We encourage all intelligent, passionate comments. Please refrain from any ignorant, racist, or offensive rants.