Powell named Freshman of the Week

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas freshman forward Marshawn Powell was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week on Monday morning by the league office in Birmingham, Ala., after helping the Razorbacks to back-to-back SEC wins over SEC West leading Mississippi State and No. 18 Ole Miss this week.

For the week, Powell averaged 14.0 points and 7.5 rebounds while also setting career bests for defensive rebounds against Mississippi State with nine and assists against Ole Miss with three. Powell is the third leading freshman scorer in the SEC at 15.3 points per game and the No. 2 rebounder in the conference at 6.8 rebounds per contest.

"Marshawn has been one of the best freshmen in the league this year and he is certainly deserving of this honor," Arkansas head coach John Pelphrey said. "He’s playing really good basketball right now and we are all very proud of him. He has a chance to be an outstanding player in this league. He comes to work every day and is very coachable."

For the year Powell has recorded three double-doubles including one in Southeastern Conference play. He has also tallied double-digit scoring in 16 of 21 career contests and against the Bulldogs this week he was just one point and one rebound shy of his fourth double-double.

Powell’s SEC Freshman of the Week honor is the first of his career and he becomes just the third Razorback to be bestowed the honor. Patrick Beverley was a three-time freshman of the week in 2007 and Courtney Fortson earned the distinction one time last season on Dec. 22.

The Razorbacks return to the court on Wednesday night when they take on the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens, Ga., before facing the Auburn Tigers on Saturday afternoon at Bud Walton Arena. For more information regarding Razorback men’s basketball or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.