Powell named SEC Player of the Week

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Junior Marshawn Powell of the University of Arkansas basketball team was named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday after averaging 22 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in Razorback wins at Auburn and at home against Missouri.

For the week Powell scored 44 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, dished four assists, blocked three shots and hit 50 percent from the field, but more importantly, led the Razorbacks to their first 2-0 week in SEC play since late in the 2010-11 season.  He nearly posted his fourth double-double of the year at Auburn with 20 points and nine rebounds and came back on Saturday to lead the Razorbacks in scoring with 24 including 15 in the second half.  His back-to-back 20-point games are the first time he has accomplished that task since his true freshman season in 2009-10.

Powell’s stellar week also allowed him to move into 24th on Arkansas’ all-time scoring list with 1,201 career points and he is one of just five players in Arkansas history to score 1,000 points, grab 450 rebounds, block 75 shots and have 100 assists in a career, joining the likes of Todd Day, Corliss Williamson, Scott Hastings and Ron Huery.  Powell currently ranks fifth in the Southeastern Conference in scoring, 20th in rebounding and third in field goal percentage.

The honor for Powell makes him the 13th Arkansas player in school history to be named the SEC Player of the Week and second this year (BJ Young on Dec. 31).  He is also just the third Razorback to have earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors (Feb. 1, 2010) and Player of the Week honors during his career joining Courtney Fortson and Young as the only players to accomplish the task.

Powell was also named the College Sports Madness SEC Player of the Week on Monday.

Arkansas returns to the court on Thursday, Feb. 21, when it plays Georgia at Bud Walton Arena beginning at 6 p.m.