Senior Jeff Withey (Kansas) and sophomore Angel Rodriguez (K-State) are the first duo to share Big 12 Player of the Week honors this season, earning the honor for games of February 11-17, the conference office announced. Freshman guard Marcus Smart (Oklahoma State) is named top rookie for the fourth time and wins his fifth weekly accolade overall.
PHILLIPS 66 BIG 12 PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Angel Rodriguez, Kansas State, G, So., 5-11, 180, San Juan, Puerto Rico/KropRodriguez averaged 19.5 points, 8.0 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 3.0 steals in 34.5 minutes per game as K-State split two contests. The sophomore connected on 48.1 percent of his shots from the floor, including 42.9 percent from 3-point range. He also made 7-of-9 (.778) from the free throw line. The highlight of the week came against Baylor, as he recorded his first career double-double with 22 points and 10 assists. He has scored in double figures in seven of the last nine games, including 20 points or more twice in the past three outings.
Jeff Withey, Kansas, C, Sr., 7-0, 235, San Diego, Calif./HorizonWithey posted 16.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game as the Jayhawks recorded wins over K-State and Texas. The senior 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 with 15 points and 10 rebounds against UT. It was his eighth and ninth double-doubles of the year. Withey also became the Big 12 career leader in blocked shots with his 265th rejection.
PHILLIPS 66 BIG 12 ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State, G, Fr., 6-4, 225, Flower Mound, Texas/MarcusSmart continued his impressive all-around play by averaging 19 points in two Cowboy wins, while totaling 10 rebounds, seven assists, three steals and two blocked shots. The freshman shot 55 percent from the floor, including 4-of-6 (.667) from beyond the arc, while making 12-of-15 (.800) from the line. His top performance came against in-state rival Oklahoma, as he led the Cowboys to a second-half comeback and finished with a career-high 28 points. One of his steals versus the Sooners came on a block of a 3-point attempt with less than 20 seconds remaining that resulted in a held ball and possession to OSU.