DURHAM, N.C. – Duke forward Mason Plumlee was named ACC Co-Player of the week and freshman Rasheed Sulaimon was the ACC Rookie of the Week after helping Duke top No. 4 Ohio State and Delaware last week, as announced on Monday by the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Plumlee shared the weekly honor with Virginia Tech’s Erick Green after delivering back-to-back double-doubles in Duke’s two wins in Cameron Indoor Stadium, including a 21-point, 17-rebound effort in the 73-68 win over Ohio State. He followed with an 18-point, 11-rebound performance in the 88-50 win over Delaware on Saturday, shooting 6-of-9 from the floor while also blocking three shots. A native of Warsaw, Ind., Plumlee also broke Duke’s all-time dunks record and now sits atop the list with 150 career dunks.
Sulaimon powered Duke to a second-half surge against the Buckeyes, scoring 17 points in the second half as Duke overcame a 31-23 halftime deficit by outscoring Ohio State 50-30 in the second period. Sulaimon, whose 12.9 points per game ranks third among ACC freshmen, shot 7-of-10 in the second half while playing all 20 minutes. He followed by scoring 14 points against Delaware on 6-of-12 shooting while also chipping in a career-high six assists. Sulaimon has scored in double figures in seven consecutive games, hit a three-pointer in all eight games and is one of the best rebounding guards in the league, grabbing an average of 4.3 boards per game which ranks first among all ACC players under 6-5.
Plumlee and Sulaimon have been key contributors to Duke’s 8-0 start, which includes victories over No. 2 Louisville, No. 3 Kentucky and No. 4 Ohio State. The Blue Devils, who with the two victories last week have won an NCAA-leading 98 consecutive non-conference home games, will take on Temple this Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J.
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