Withey Named Big 12 Player of the Week for Second Time in 2012-13

Feb. 18, 2013

IRVING, Texas – Kansas senior Jeff Withey became the conference’s all-time blocked shots leader Saturday and has been named Phillip 66 co-Big 12 Player of the Week, earning the honor for games Feb. 11-17, in a vote of a media panel which covers the league, the conference office announced Monday.

Withey, who shares this week’s honor with Kansas State’s Angel Rodriguez, posted 16.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game as the Jayhawks recorded wins over then-No. 10 K-State and Texas. The San Diego, Calif., center shot 47.6 percent from the field and made 80 percent of his free throws while blocking seven shots and grabbing three steals. He had double-doubles in both games, finishing with 17 points and 10 boards versus the Wildcats and following that performance up with 15 points and 10 rebounds against UT. Withey’s two double-doubles were his eighth and nine of the year.

In the Texas game, Withey became the Big 12 career leader in blocked shots with his 265th rejection, passing Chris Mihm of Texas who had 264 blocks from 1998-2000. In the Kansas State contest, Withey became Kansas’ all-time blocked shots leader, passing Greg Ostertag who had 258 from 1992-95.

Withey is the first Jayhawk to be named Big 12 Player of the Week for the second time this season and has received the honor three times in his career. Other KU players who have received the accolade in 2012-13 are Travis Releford and Ben McLemore.

Kansas (21-4, 9-3) will play at Oklahoma State (19-5, 9-3) in a battle for first place in the Big 12 race on Wednesday, Feb. 20, at 8 p.m. (Central) on ESPN2. KU and OSU are tied with Kansas State (20-5, 9-3) atop the league standings.

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