Wright Named Big 12 Rookie of the Week

Feb. 27, 2006

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Freshman Julian Wright has been named Phillips 66 Big 12 Rookie of the Week for games of Feb. 20-26 in voting by a panel of media covering the conference. Wright is the third KU freshman to win rookie accolades in 2005-06.

Wright averaged 19.5 points and 22.5 minutes in two games, as Kansas defeated Baylor (76-61) and lost at Texas. The freshman forward shot 81.8 percent (18-of-22) from the floor over the two contests and 2-of-2 from the free throw line. His 10-of-11 (.909) effort against the Bears is the highest field goal percentage in a game by a Big 12 player this season. He had a career-high 20 points against BU, followed by a team-best 18 points at UT. He also had five rebounds, two blocks and two steals on the week. Wright became the sixth different Jayhawk this season to score 20 points in a game with his total versus Baylor.

This marks the first time Julian Wright has won the Phillips 66 Big 12 Rookie of the Week honor. With Brandon Rush and Mario Chalmers also earning the honor, Kansas matches Oklahoma State – also this season – as the only teams to have three different players from the same school be named Phillips 66 Big 12 Rookie of the Week in the same season. Kansas players have been named Phillips 66 Big 12 Rookie of the Week four times this season which is the most in a season for KU in the 10-year history of the league.