GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Duke Basketball program swept the ACC weekly awards announced Monday with Amile Jefferson earning Player of the Week honors and Jayson Tatum garnering Freshman of the Week recognition.
Jefferson sparked Duke to victories on two coasts last week, averaging 17.0 points, 13.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists as Duke downed No. 21 Florida in New York on Tuesday and defeated UNLV in Las Vegas on Saturday. For the week, the ACC field goal percentage leader was 15-of-20 (.750) from the floor.
The Philadelphia native played a career-high 39 minutes against Florida in the Jimmy V Classic as part of a career night that saw him score a personal-best 24 points and match his career best with 15 rebounds. He was 11-of-14 (.786) from the floor against the Gators and also blocked a team-high four shots.
On Saturday, he ran his season double-double total to six with 10 points and a game-high 12 rebounds in a rout of UNLV in the first college basketball game at T-Mobile Arena. Jefferson also led all players with five assists in the contest. His rebound total against UNLV moved him into the top 20 Duke’s career rebounds chart.
In his first full week of competition this season after recovering from a foot injury, Tatum averaged 17.5 points on .522 (12-of-23) shooting from the floor while chipping in 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.5 blocks per game in Duke’s two wins. He was a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line on the week.
Tatum’s coming out party took place on a national stage against No. 21 Florida on Tuesdaynight at the Jimmy V Classic as he reeled off 22 points on 7-of-12 (.583) shooting, including 16 points in the second half. He also added eight rebounds and a pair of steals. The effort marked the first 20-point game of his career.
On Saturday, Tatum came off the bench for 13 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks as Duke dismantled UNLV.
The St. Louis native has scored in double figures in each of the three games he’s played since returning from injury.
Duke is idle until Dec. 19 when it hosts at 7 p.m. ET Tennessee State in its non-conference home finale. ESPN2 will televise the game and the radio call will be available on the Blue Devil IMG Sports Network.
You must be logged in to post a comment.