Jay C. Upchurch
1/19/2009, 11:44 AM
NORMAN -- Senior Austin Johnson was named the Phillips 66 Big 12 Player of the Week today after leading the Oklahoma men's basketball team to victories over 11th-ranked Texas and Texas A&M last week. It marked the first time in his career he was named league player of the week.
Johnson, a point guard who entered the week averaging 6.6 points per contest, sported averages of 17.0 points, 5.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots against the Longhorns and Aggies. He shot .571 from the field on the week (12-for-21), .571 from 3-point range (4-for-7) and .857 from the free throw line (6-for-7).
In a 78-63 home win over Texas last Monday, Johnson registered 15 points, four assists, two boards and a block while going 6-for-9 from the floor and 1-for-1 from behind the arc. He was also OU's primary defender against Texas guard A.J. Abrams, who finished the night 8-for-27 from the field and 3-for-15 from 3-point range.
Johnson was even better in a 69-63 win at College Station Saturday, finishing with a season-high 19 points, seven assists (both game highs), four rebounds and two blocked shots. He was 6-for-12 from the field, 3-for-6 from long distance and 4-for-4 at the charity stripe. His key 3-pointer with 1:36 left put OU up by five after the Aggies had cut OU's lead from 14 to two.
Johnson now averages 7.7 points, 4.4 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocked shot on the season. He leads the Big 12 and ranks in the top 10 nationally with his 3.2 assist-to-turnover ratio.
The Big 12 Player of the Week honor is the fifth for Oklahoma this season as sophomore Blake Griffin has claimed four awards. Freshman Willie Warren has been named Big 12 Rookie of the Week four times.
Kansas freshman guard Tyshawn Taylor was this week's Big 12 Rookie of the Week honoree after averaging 17.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in two wins.
Johnson's Sooners, who are off to their best start (17-1) in 23 years, host Nebraska on Wednesday at 8 p.m. CST and No. 21 Baylor on Saturday at 3 p.m.
OU Sports Info Report
Johnson, a point guard who entered the week averaging 6.6 points per contest, sported averages of 17.0 points, 5.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots against the Longhorns and Aggies. He shot .571 from the field on the week (12-for-21), .571 from 3-point range (4-for-7) and .857 from the free throw line (6-for-7).
In a 78-63 home win over Texas last Monday, Johnson registered 15 points, four assists, two boards and a block while going 6-for-9 from the floor and 1-for-1 from behind the arc. He was also OU's primary defender against Texas guard A.J. Abrams, who finished the night 8-for-27 from the field and 3-for-15 from 3-point range.
Johnson was even better in a 69-63 win at College Station Saturday, finishing with a season-high 19 points, seven assists (both game highs), four rebounds and two blocked shots. He was 6-for-12 from the field, 3-for-6 from long distance and 4-for-4 at the charity stripe. His key 3-pointer with 1:36 left put OU up by five after the Aggies had cut OU's lead from 14 to two.
Johnson now averages 7.7 points, 4.4 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocked shot on the season. He leads the Big 12 and ranks in the top 10 nationally with his 3.2 assist-to-turnover ratio.
The Big 12 Player of the Week honor is the fifth for Oklahoma this season as sophomore Blake Griffin has claimed four awards. Freshman Willie Warren has been named Big 12 Rookie of the Week four times.
Kansas freshman guard Tyshawn Taylor was this week's Big 12 Rookie of the Week honoree after averaging 17.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in two wins.
Johnson's Sooners, who are off to their best start (17-1) in 23 years, host Nebraska on Wednesday at 8 p.m. CST and No. 21 Baylor on Saturday at 3 p.m.
OU Sports Info Report