|
INDIANAPOLIS (USBWA) – The U.S. Basketball Writers
Association has selected Virginia Tech forward
Keve Aluma as its Oscar Robertson National Player
of the Week for games ending the week of Sunday, Jan. 31.
 As
the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Week, Aluma was nominated
for the weekly award, which was chosen by a representative of the
USBWA board of directors from a list of Division I conference players
of the week. Once again, the USBWA will select a Division I men's
National Player of the Week each Tuesday throughout the season.
The USBWA has named Oscar Robertson National Players of the Week
since the 2009-10 season.
Aluma, a 6-9 junior from Berlin, Md., averaged 21.5 points, 11.0
rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 blocks per game as the Hokies won
at won at Notre Dame, 62-51, on Tuesday and then topped then-No.
8 Virginia, 65-51, on Saturday in Blacksburg. The No. 16 Hokies,
at 7-2, are off to the program's best start in ACC play since joining
the league for the 2004-05 season. Aluma shot 60 percent (15-of-25)
from the field and 91.7 percent (11-of-12) from the free-throw line
in the two wins.
On Tuesday night, Aluma had 14 points and 12 rebounds in 30 minutes
and followed that up with 29 points, 10 rebounds and four assists
in the decisive win over Virginia. Aluma shot 60 percent (15-of-25)
from the field and 91.7 percent (11-of-12) from the free-throw line
in the two wins. He is now averaging 14.8 points and 7.6 rebounds
per game to lead the Hokies.
Aluma is the first Virginia Tech player to earn the USBWA's National
Player of the Week honor since the program was initiated in the
2009-10 season. The Hokes travel to Pitt for a 7 p.m. ET tipoff
tomorrow night.
Since the 1958-59 season, the USBWA has named a National Player
of the Year. In 1998, the award was named in honor of the University
of Cincinnati Hall of Famer and two-time USBWA Player of the Year
Oscar Robertson. It is the nation's oldest award and the only
one named after a former player.
At the conclusion of the regular season, the USBWA will name
finalists for the award, which is voted on by the entire membership.
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in
1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers.
With some 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 the Oscar Robertson Trophy, contact executive director Malcolm
Moran at 814-574-1485.
2020-21 Oscar Robertson National Players of the Week
•
Week ending Dec. 20: Boo Buie, Northwestern (Big Ten
Conference)
• Week ending Dec. 27: Corey Kispert,
Gonzaga (West Coast Conference)
• Week ending
Jan. 3: Liam Robbins, Minnesota (Big Ten Conference)
•
Week ending Jan. 10: Matthew Hurt, Duke (Atlantic
Coast Conference)
• Week ending Jan. 17: Matt
Lewis, James Madison (Colonial Athletic Association)
•
Week ending Jan. 24: Jared Butler, Baylor (Big 12
Conference)
• Week ending Jan. 31: Keve Aluma,
Virginia Tech (Atlantic Coast Conference)
•
Week ending Feb. 7: Terry Taylor, Austin Peay (Ohio Valley Conference)
•
Week ending Feb. 14: Drew Timme, Gonzaga (West Coast
Conference)
• Week ending Feb. 21: Noah Williams,
Washington State (Pac-12 Conference)
• Week
ending Feb. 28: Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State (Big 12 Conference)
• All-time USBWA National
Players of the Week (Since 2009-10)
|
