by Eric Lindsey – BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Kentucky freshman guard Jamal Murray was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week on Monday after averaging a team-best 16.5 points, a guard-best 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists in wins over Eastern Kentucky and Arizona State last week.
In the win over EKU, Murray posted an impressive line of 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists. He followed up that performance with a team-high 17 points, five assists and three boards in the victory over Arizona State.
With two 3-pointers in both games this week, Murray became the first player in Kentucky history to make at least one trey in each of his first 10 collegiate games.
Murray, a native of Kitchener, Ontario, leads the 9-1 Wildcats in scoring (15.5 points per game) and 3-pointers made (20).
It’s the first weekly SEC honor of Murray’s career and the fourth such award for the Wildcats this season. Ulis previously won SEC Co-Player of the Week honors while freshman forward Skal Labissiere and freshman guard Isaiah Briscoe have both picked up SEC Freshman of the Week this season.
Kentucky is off until Saturday for finals week. UK returns to action Saturday in Brooklyn, N.Y., as a part of the CBS Sports Classic. The Wildcats will take on Ohio State at 3:30 p.m. on CBS.
For the latest on the Kentucky men’s basketball team, follow @KentuckyMBB on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and on the web at UKathletics.com.