Jeffries is AAC Freshman of the Week

D.J. Jeffries (0) was named AAC Freshman of the Week for his play against Cincinnati.

Photo by: Joe Murphy

Jan 20, 2020 | Men's Basketball

Achiuwa also recognized with a spot on the conference's Honor Roll

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – University of Memphis freshman forward D.J. Jeffries is the American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Week.

Jeffries earned the honor by scoring a team-high 18 points in Thursday's 60-49 American Athletic Conference victory over Cincinnati at FedExForum. Jeffries had his best game since missing the Tigers' Jan. 4 home game against Georgia.

In each of his previous two games, Jeffries scored only three points. He opened the Cincinnati game by matching that two-game total with a pair of 3-pointers for an early 6-0 UofM lead.

In the second half, Jeffries stepped up when the Tigers needed a spark. After the Bearcats rallied from a 15-point deficit to take a 38-37 lead, Jeffires made a 3-pointer for a 42-38 advantage. He capped a 10-0 run with another 3-pointer to give the Tigers a 47-38 lead.

In addition, freshman forward Precious Achiuwa was recognized for the fifth consecutive week. Achiuwa earned a spot on the AAC Honor Roll after back-to-back weeks being selected Freshman of the Week. He has been honored six times this season, including Player of the Week in late November.

Achiuwa posted his sixth consecutive double-double to establish a league record. He finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds for his 10^th double-double of the season. He is the only player in the conference averaging a double-double.

The Tigers, ranked No. 19 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll, play at Tulsa Wednesday night and return home Saturday to play SMU in a game that tips off at 3 p.m. at FedExForum.

AAC WEEKLY HONORS
Jan. 20 / D.J. Jeffries | Freshman of the Week
Jan. 20 / Precious Achiuwa | Honor Roll
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. 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