Kansas' Tyshawn Taylor Named Phillips 66 Big 12 Rookie of the Week for Third Time in 2008-09
Jan. 19, 2009
IRVING, Texas – For the third time this season, Kansas freshman Tyshawn Taylor has been named Phillips 66 Big 12 Rookie of the Week for Jan. 12-18 in a vote by a media panel. Austin Johnson of Oklahoma was chosen the Phillips 66 Big 12 Player of the Week.
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas, G, Fr., 6-3, 180, Hoboken, N.J./Saint Anthony
Taylor helped Kansas to victories over Kansas State (87-71) and at Colorado (73-56). The freshman guard averaged 17.0 points while shooting 73.3 percent (11-of-15) from the floor. He connected on two three-pointers while converting 10-of-15 (.667) from the free throw line. He also recorded five rebounds, five assists, one block and two steals. Taylor scored 20 of his 34 points for the week in the second half of the two games, helping the Jayhawks pull away in each contest. He is third on his team in scoring (10.4 ppg) and is one of four KU regulars shooting over 50 percent this season. Taylor also tops the squad with 24 steals. Taylor wins the honor for the third time this season. The last Jayhawk to win rookie of the week honors three times in one season was Brandon Rush in 2005-06.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Austin Johnson, Oklahoma, G, Sr., 6-3, 176, Amarillo, Texas/Palo Duro
Johnson turned in his best week of the season as the Sooners recorded wins over No. 11 Texas (78-63) and at Texas A&M (69-63). The senior guard posted 17.0 points per game, including a season-high 19 points against Texas A&M. He had entered the week averaging 6.6 points on the season. Against the Aggies, he scored 13 points in the second half, including a key 3-pointer with 1:36 left to put OU up five after A&M had cut the lead to two points. Johnson shot 57.1 percent (12-of-21) in the two games, including 4-of-7 (.571) from 3-point range. He was also 6-of-7 (.857) from the free throw line with 11 assists. Johnson leads the Big 12 and is ranked in the top 10 nationally in asssist-to-turnover ratio (3.2) and is also seventh in the conference with 80 assists.
2008-09 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Weekly Awards
Player Rookie
Nov. 17 Blake Griffin, Oklahoma, F, So. Toney McCray, Nebraska, G, Fr.
Nov. 24 Blake Griffin, Oklahoma, F, So. Quincy Acy, Baylor, F, Fr.
Willie Warren, Oklahoma, G, Fr.
Dec. 1 Blake Griffin, Oklahoma, F, So. Willie Warren, Oklahoma, G, Fr.
Dec. 8 Craig Brackins, Iowa State, F, So. Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas, G, Fr.
A.J. Abrams, Texas, G, Sr.
Dec. 15 Cory Higgins, Colorado, G, So. Lucca Staiger, Iowa State, G, So.
Dec. 22 James Anderson, Oklahoma State, G/F, So. Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas G, Fr.
Dec. 29 Craig Brackins, Iowa State, F, So. Willie Warren, Oklahoma, G, Fr.
Jan. 5 Sherron Collins, Kansas, G, Jr. Willie Warren, Oklahoma, G, Fr.
Jan. 12 Blake Griffin, Oklahoma, F, So. Lucca Staiger, Iowa State, G, So.
Jan. 19 Austin Johnson, Oklahoma, G, Sr. Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas G, Fr.
