11/21/2016 basketball Edit

Malik Monk named SEC Freshman of the Week

Malik Monk shoots a jumper against Duquesne. Photo credit: Chet White/UKathletics

Derek Terry • CatsIllustrated

Beat Writer

Derek Terry has been the beat writer for Catsillustrated.com since 2015. He is a 2017 graduate of the University of Kentucky.

Was there ever a doubt after Malik Monk would be the SEC Freshman of the Week after a 23-point performance in Madison Square Garden against No. 13 Michigan State? Monk drilled seven three-pointers and grabbed a team-high six rebounds against the Spartans. The Arkansas native then scored 14 points against Duquesne on Sunday night to wrap up the award. He averaged a team-high 18.5 points the last two games.

Point guard De'Aaron Fox took home the award last week, giving Kentucky, now No. 1 in the Associated Press poll, the award in back-to-back weeks to start the season.

According to a University of Kentucky press release, Kentucky has now captured the honor in consecutive weeks to open the season for the second time in the John Calipari era. Eric Bledsoe and John Wall opened the 2009-10 season with five straight accolades.