Clarke named SEC Player of the Week

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Fresh off his 36-point explosion against No. 19 Vanderbilt, junior Rotnei Clarke was named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday by the league office in Birmingham, Ala.

Clarke scored 52 points on the week to move into 26th on Arkansas’ all-time scoring list, but it was his SEC career high, 36, that stole the show and led the Razorbacks to an upset of No. 19 Vanderbilt in Nashville. Clarke was 12-of-16 shooting in the game and 6-of-8 from three-point land. For the week, Clarke shot 68 percent from the field, 58 percent from three and 92 percent from the free throw line while grabbing five rebounds and playing a team high 66 minutes.

The Player of the Week honor is the second of Clarke’s career. He was also named SEC Player of the Week on Nov. 16, of last season after his school record 51-point game against Alcorn State in the season opener. Clarke joins an elite group of seven Arkansas players to earn multiple SEC Player of the Week awards during their careers. Those players include Courtney Fortson (2 times), Jonathon Modica (2 times), Jannero Pargo (3 times), Scotty Thurman (2 times), Mike Washington (2 times) and Corliss Williamson (2 times).

The Razorbacks are back on the court Wednesday night when they host the Georgia Bulldogs at Bud Walton Arena where Arkansas is undefeated this season. Tipoff for the contest is scheduled for 8 p.m.