USBWA > News > Wayman Tisdale National Freshman of the Week

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Jan. 2, 2018
For Immediate Release
Contact: Joe Mitch
314-795-6821

Forward averaged 16 ppg, 15.5 rpg for the week

TEXAS' BAMBA NAMED
WAYMAN TISDALE FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK

ST. LOUIS (USBWA) – Texas forward Mohamed Bamba is the Wayman Tisdale National Freshman of the Week for games ending the week of Dec. 31. Bamba was selected by CBSSports.com's Matt Norlander, in partnership with the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.

Norlander's popular weekly freshman watch column will continue to feature nation's the top freshmen each week in addition to the national player of the week. Later in the season, the USBWA will release a midseason watch list before naming finalists for the award. This season marks the first time a weekly national freshman of the week will be selected and, each Tuesday through Feb. 27, a standout first-year player will be chosen for the honor.

Norlander writes of the Harlem, N.Y., product: "Texas split the week, going 1-1. On Friday the Longhorns lost 92-86 at Kansas. On Monday, a 74-70 overtime win. In the two games Bamba averaged 16.0 points, 15.5 rebounds, 6.0 blocks, shot 13-of-24 from the field including 2-of-4 from 3-point range. He looked tremendous vs. Kansas, and was pivotal to Texas pulling out the win at Iowa State. Bamba's a player still finding his way, but he's a natural-born defender. His ability to guard all three levels – and almost any player – in college basketball has helped Texas to a 10-4 start. One more win and the Longhorns will match their total from last season."

The USBWA has chosen a national freshman of the year since the 1988-89 season when LSU's Chris Jackson was the recipient. Last season, Duke's Jabari Parker became the fourth winner of the Wayman Tisdale Award. Other notable previous winners of the national freshman of the year award include Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Jason Kidd and Chris Webber.

The late Wayman Tisdale was a three-time USBWA All-American at the University of Oklahoma. Following a stint on the 1984 U.S. Olympic basketball team, he played 12 seasons in the NBA before retiring in 1997 to focus on a blossoming jazz music career. In March 2007, he was diagnosed with cancer and, following a courageous and difficult battle that included the amputation of his right leg in 2008, he passed away in May 2009.

The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With more than 900 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. It has selected an All-America team since the 1956-57 season. For more information on the USBWA and its award programs, contact executive director Joe Mitch at 314-795-6821.

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