Achiuwa repeats as AAC and USBWA Freshman of the Week

Precious Achiuwa made 17 of 23 field goal attempts in games against Wichita State and USF.

Photo by: Kelly Ross

Achiuwa repeats as AAC and USBWA Freshman of the Week

Jan 13, 2020 | Men's Basketball

Tigers freshman averaged 22 points, 11.5 rebounds and 4.5 blocks in two games

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – University of Memphis freshman forward Precious Achiuwa is the American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Week . . . again.

Achiuwa repeated as Freshman of the Week for his performances last week in a 76-67 loss at nationally ranked Wichita State and a 68-64 win at USF. In the two games, Achiuwa averaged 22 points, 11.5 rebounds and 4.5 blocks. He also made 17 of 29 shots.

With double-doubles in both games, Achiuwa extended his streak of games with double-doubles to five. He has nine for the season.

Achiuwa was particularly effective in the comeback from a 14-point second-half deficit at USF. He scored on an assist from D.J. Jeffries to trim the USF lead to 56-54. Four minutes later, he scored on a layup off an assist from Tyler Harris and converted the free throw to give the UofM its first lead of the second half at 61-60.

And with 1:38 to play, he scored on a soaring dunk for a 63-61 advantage, followed by a key free throw with 4.4 seconds left to clinch the win.

The Freshman of the Week award marked the fifth time this season Achiuwa has been honored by the conference. He was recognized as Player of the Week once, Freshman of the Week three times and earned a spot on the weekly Honor Roll once. He has been named to the weekly honors four straight weeks.

ANOTHER REPEAT PEFORMANCE: Achiuwa also won the CBS Sports/USBWA Freshman of the Week award a second consecutive week based on his efforts against Wichita State and USF. He became the first two-time recipient.

Memphis continues its quest for its first NCAA Tournament appearance in six seasons thanks to Achiuwa's reliability.

Achiuwa has been efficient making 17 of his 29 shots the past two games.

Memphis, ranked 22^nd in this week's Associated Press Top 25, plays host to Cincinnati at 6 p.m. Thursday night at FedExForum.

AAC WEEKLY HONORS
Jan. 13 -- Precious Achiuwa | Freshman of the Week
Jan. 6 -- Precious Achiuwa | Freshman of the Week
Dec. 30 -- Precious Achiuwa | Honor Roll
Dec. 23 -- Precious Achiuwa | Freshman of the Week
Dec. 9 -- Alex Lomax | Honor Roll
Dec. 2 -- Boogie Ellis | Freshman of the Week
Nov. 25 -- Precious Achiuwa | Player of the Week
Nov. 18 -- Lester Quinones | Freshman of the Week
Nov. 11 -- James Wiseman | Freshman of the Week