Bamba named Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Newcomer of the Week
IRVING, Texas — University of Texas freshman forward Mohamed Bamba has been named the Phillips 66 Big 12 Conference Newcomer of the Week, the league office announced Monday. This marks Bamba’s third weekly league award, as he previously claimed Newcomer of the Week honors Nov. 13 and Jan. 1.
Bamba averaged 24.5 points, 13.5 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game while converting 15-of-19 (.789) field goals, including 3-of-3 from three-point range, and 16-of-17 (.941) free throws in 29.0 minutes per contest during UT’s two home victories this past week.
In the 73-57 win against Iowa State (Jan. 22), he recorded 24 points (9-11 field goals, 2-2 three-point field goals, 4-4 free throws) to go along with 12 rebounds (6 offensive), 3 blocks and 2 steals in 30 minutes. Bamba returned to post a career-high 25 points (6-8 field goals, 1-1 three-pointers, 12-13 free throws), 15 rebounds and 4 blocks in 28 minutes during Saturday’s 85-72 victory against Ole Miss (Jan. 27).
Bamba registered his ninth and 10th double-doubles of the season in the two games. He has recorded a double-double in four of his last five and seven of his last 10 contests.
For the year, Bamba leads the team and the Big 12 Conference in both rebounding (10.9 rpg) and blocks (88, 4.40 bpg) and ranks second on the team in scoring (13.1 ppg) and fourth in minutes (30.3 mpg) through his first 20 games. He ranks second nationally (through games of Jan. 28) in blocks per game.
Bamba enters Wednesday’s game in Lubbock just two blocks shy of tying the UT freshman season record (90 by Chris Mihm in 1997-98) and just four blocks shy of tying the UT overall season mark (92 by Chris Owens in 2000-01). He has recorded at least four blocks in 17 of his first 20 contests and at least two rejections in all 20 games.
Texas (14-7, 4-4 Big 12) returns to action Wednesday, Jan. 31 at No. 14/14 Texas Tech (17-4, 5-3 Big 12). Tip is set for 8 p.m. Central at United Supermarkets Arena, and the game will be televised nationally by ESPNU.
