Achiuwa, Thomas earn AAC honors

Memphis Men’s Basketball vs. University of Connecticut

Precious Achiuwa was named AAC Freshman of the Week for the fourth time this season.

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Feb 03, 2020 | Men's Basketball

Tiger duo led team to conference wins over UCF, UConn

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – University of Memphis forward Precious Achiuwa was named American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Week and sophomore forward Lance Thomas, who moved into the starting lineup last week, made the AAC Honor Roll.

The announcements were made Monday following the UofM's conference wins over UCF and UConn. Achiuwa earned Freshman of the Week for the fourth time this season.

Achiuwa's week included his 11^th double-double (18 points, 13 rebounds) at UCF and 16 points in the win over UConn. He also averaged 10.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in the two games.

Thomas, a transfer from Louisville, averaged 17 points in conference victories against UCF and UConn to earn his first league recognition of the season. He made 13 of 22 shots in the two games, including six of 10 from 3-point range. His 37 points in the two games represented just four fewer than he had scored in UofM's first 17 games this season.

In the 59-57 win at UCF on Wednesday, Thomas scored a career-high 20 points, including 12 coming from beyond the arc. He made four of his six 3-point attempts. Two of his 3-pointers came in the closing minutes and ended a UCF comeback try.

Thomas entered the UCF game having made only three 3-pointers in his career. He was 1-of-16 from 3-point range this season before the UCF game.

And at home Saturday in a 70-63 victory over UConn, Thomas stepped up again. He scored 14 points and blocked a career-high five shots. The five blocks tied Achiuwa and James Wiseman for most in a game this season by a Tiger. Achiuwa has done it twice.

Against UCF, Thomas was making his first start since Nov. 20 against Little Rock.

The Tigers stay at home to play Temple Wednesday night and USF Saturday. The Temple game tips off at 7 p.m. and USF is a 3 p.m. start.

AAC WEEKLY HONORS | MEMPHIS RECIPIENTS

Feb. 3 / Lance Thomas | Honor Roll
Feb. 3/ Precious Achiuwa | Freshman of the Week
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