Freshman guard was 7 for 10 from behind the arc in UK’s first two SEC games
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Riding a torrid shooting streak from behind the arc, guard Devin Booker was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week for the second time this season on Monday.
Booker averaged 15.5 points on 50.0-percent shooting while leading top-ranked Kentucky to overtime wins over Ole Miss and Texas A&M to open the SEC season.
The Grand Rapids, Mich., native made 9 of 18 shots overall, including 7 of 10 from behind the 3-point line. The SEC leader in 3-point field-goal percentage has made at least one 3-pointer in a career-long five consecutive games and has hit 16 of 21 (76.2 percent) during that stretch.
In the overtime win over the Rebels, Booker poured in 13 points on 57.1-percent shooting, which included a perfect 3-for-3 performance from behind the arc. He topped that outing on Saturday with an 18-point effort to lead UK in scoring in the double-overtime win in College Station, Texas. He connected on 4 of 7 from long range in that game while also hauling in three rebounds, an assist and a steal.
The 6-foot-6 guard is averaging 10.7 points on the season, the second-best mark on the team and the most of any UK freshman. He’s hit a team-best 30 3-pointers in 15 games and is knocking down his outside shots at a 50.0-percent clip.
The Wildcats have won six SEC Freshman of the Week honors this season. Booker and Karl-Anthony Towns have won the award twice already, while Trey Lyles and Tyler Ulis have claimed the honor once apiece.
Kentucky will return to Rupp Arena on Tuesday when the Cats play host to Missouri at 9 p.m. on ESPN.
For the latest on the Kentucky men’s basketball team, follow @KentuckyMBB on Twitter and on the web at UKathletics.com.
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