Kansas Sweeps Big 12 Weekly Men’s Basketball Honors

IRVING, Texas – The Kansas duo of sophomore forward Perry Ellis and freshman guard Andrew Wiggins have been named the Big 12 Player and Newcomer of the Week in a vote by a media panel which covers the league, the conference announced Monday.

Ellis earned co-Big 12 Player of the Week honors, along with Iowa State’s Melvin Ejim, after he scored a career-high 24 points in KU’s 94-83 win over No. 4 Duke at the State Farm Champions Classic. The 6-8 Wichita forward finished 9-of-13 (.692) from the floor, including one 3-pointer. Ellis, who was named for the honor for the first time, also converted 5-of-6 (.833) from the charity stripe. He pulled down a team-best nine rebounds to go along with two assists and a career-high three steals. He had a key steal and assist with 1:16 remaining that led to a six-point Jayhawk lead they would not relinquish.

Despite battling foul trouble, Wiggins came up big in the Jayhawks’ victory over Duke and was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week. In just 25 minutes on the floor, the 6-8 Vaughan, Ontario, Canada, guard scored a career-high 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting (.600). He pulled down a season-best eight rebounds and made 4-of-6 (.667) shots from the free throw line, with one block. Wiggins had two key baskets in the last 1:30 of the contest to extend.

The last time Kansas swept the Big 12 weekly honors was last season when Elijah Johnson (player) and Ben McLemore (newcomer) were named on March 4, 2013. Ellis adds to Kansas’ league high in player of the week winners as he marks the 55th time a Jayhawk has earned the distinction. Wiggins is the 26th KU newcomer to be named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week.

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