The national player of the week in men’s college basketball for Week 12 has been announced, showcasing an exceptional performance by Julian Reese from the University of Maryland.
The senior forward, hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, recorded impressive career highs with 27 points and 17 rebounds in Maryland’s significant 91-70 victory against the then-No. 17 Illinois during an away game.
Following this, he contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds in a nail-biting 79-78 triumph against Indiana.
These consecutive double-doubles mark his ninth of the season, putting him in a tie for the most in the Big Ten as the week commenced.
Standing at 6-foot-9, Reese has dedicated his entire collegiate career to the Terps and joins a select group of eight players in Maryland history who have surpassed 1,100 points and 800 rebounds.
His outstanding performances have propelled Maryland close to breaking into the Top 25, as they prepared for a matchup against No. 17 Wisconsin on Wednesday night.
In the running for the honor, J’Wan Roberts from Houston also made waves this week.
The 6-foot-8 senior shone with a stellar 24 points, nine rebounds, and five assists during a gripping double-overtime success against the then-No. 12 Kansas last Saturday.
Roberts made crucial free-throw shots to secure the overtime period, aiding sixth-ranked Houston in stunning the Jayhawks in their home arena, Allen Fieldhouse.
Additionally, he posted 11 points, four rebounds, and three steals in a decisive win against Utah.
Honorable mentions for this week include Dawson Garcia from Minnesota, Chucky Hepburn from Louisville, and Curtis Jones from Iowa State.
Also worth noting is the rising talent Mekhi Conner from Sacred Heart.
The freshman guard delivered an impressive performance with 16 assists, tying him for the highest assists per game in Division I men’s basketball this season, while also scoring 10 points and collecting three rebounds and three steals in a successful away game against Canisius.
In another match against Niagara, Conner contributed 18 points, nine assists, and four rebounds.
Currently, he averages 8.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game, making him a player to watch moving forward.
