Wright Named Big 12 Co-Player of the Week

March 5, 2007

IRVING, TEXAS –

University of Kansas sophomore Julian Wright was named Big 12 Men’s Co-Player of the Week for his performances in Kansas’ wins over Oklahoma and Texas. Wright averaged 17.5 points and 10.5 rebounds during the week, including grabbing a career-high 13 rebounds in the victory over Texas to clinch the Big 12 championship.

Wright finished the regular season averaging 12.0 points and 8.1 rebounds per game and was also recently named to the Big 12 All-First team with teammate Brandon Rush. The Chicago Heights, Ill., native was also named to the NABC District 12 First Team and was the Big 12 Preseason Co-Player of the Year along with Rush.

Wright and Kansas await the winner of the Iowa State-Oklahoma game in the quarterfinals of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Tournament in Oklahoma City, Okla. The game will tip-off at 11:30 a.m. on Friday.

Texas freshmen Kevin Durant was also named Big 12 Player of the week and teammate D.J. Augustin was chosen as the final Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Rookie of the Week for the 2006-07 season in voting by a panel of media covering the conference. <?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Julian Wright, <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>Kansas, F, So., 6-8, 225, Chicago Heights, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor

Wright helped the Jayhawks clinch the Big 12 regular season title with wins at Oklahoma (67-65) and over Texas. The sophomore forward scored 17.5 points per game and averaged 10.5 rebounds. He shot 61.5 percent (16-of-26) from the floor, while adding nine assists and three blocks. Wright scored the first six points of the game versus the Sooners. He also had a key play against the Longhorns, blocking a UT 3-point attempt with 5.5 seconds remaining and KU clinging to a three-point advantage. The weekly award is Wright’s second this year.

Kevin Durant, Texas, F/G, Fr., 6-9, 225, Suitland, Md./Montrose Christian

Durant wins his 10th weekly honor (four player, six rookie) this season, extending his Big 12 record. The freshman averaged 31.0 points and 12.5 rebounds as the Longhorns defeated Texas A&M, 98-96 in double-overtime, before dropping a 90-86 decision at Kansas. He converted 21-of-39 (.538) field goals, including 10-of-14 from 3-point range, and was 10-of-13 (.769) from the free throw line. He had 30 points in the victory over the Aggies, his ninth 30-point outing of the year. Prior to this season, there were only nine 30-point games by Big 12 freshman in league history.

ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

D.J. Augustin, Texas, G, Fr., 5-11, 175, New Orleans, La./Brother Martin

Augustin averaged 22.0 points and 10.0 assists in the 1-1 week for the Longhorns. The freshman guard began with 25 points and seven assists in the win over Texas A&M. He then scored 19 points with a career-high tying 13 assists in 40 minutes at Kansas. It was his third double-double of 2006-07. On the week, he had 20 assists with just five turnovers. Augustin has five double-digit assists totals this season. He wins rookie honors for the fourth time. A Texas player has won the conference’s rookie award in 10 of 17 weeks this season.

For a complete list of all Big 12 Players of the Week, click here.