By CHRIS RUSSELL
Ohio State freshman guard D’Angelo Russell has been selected the ZAGSBLOG National Player of the Week.
The 6-foot-5 freshman sensation appears to improve by the day. On the week, Russell averaged 30.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. He leads all freshmen in the country in scoring, averaging 19.4 points per contest. Not only has Russell demonstrated consistent shooting, the guard has displayed incredible and efficient passing on the season.
On Sunday, Russell scored 22 points and added 10 assists for his second double-double of the season and the Buckeyes (16-5, 5-3 Big Ten) knocked off No. 23 Indiana 82-70 in front of 17,322 fans at Value City Arena for their first winning streak in conference play.
“I guess they forgot about me because I was letting the game come to me,” Russell said, according to the AP. “I felt the cramps coming in so I had to be careful.”
Russell is currently projected as the No. 4 pick in the 2015 Draft according to DraftExpress.com.
Next game: Jan. 29 vs Maryland @ 7 PM
OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
DeAndre’ Bembry, St. Joseph’s – The sophomore from Charlotte, N.C. made a strong presence on the week by having monster performances against Atlantic 10 foes St. Bonaventure and UMass. Against the Minutemen, Bembry led the Hawks with 25 points on 9-for-16 shooting, grabbed 8 rebounds and distributed 7 assists on the way to victory. Against St. Bonaventure, Bembry posted 27 points on 9-for-16 shots while also connecting on six 3’s.
Next game: Jan. 27 at La Salle @ 7 PM
J.J. Frazier, Georgia – Frazier carried the Bulldogs with 37 points en route to 72-66 victory over conference rival Mississippi State on Saturday. Frazier shot a near perfect 12-for-14 from the field, including 7-for-7 from 3-point land. There is a possibility that Mississipi State overlooked Frazier on the scouting report. Coming into Saturday’s contest, the sophomore guard averaged 9.1 points per game.
Next game: Jan. 27 vs Vanderbilt @7 PM
Xavier Rathan-Mayes, Florida State – Despite the loss, the Seminole freshman stole the show in Chappel Hill on Saturday. Rathan-Mayes posted 35 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists against North Carolina. The 6-foot-4 guard from Ontario, Canada single-handedly kept Florida State within striking distance, connecting on important shots late in the game. On the week Rathan-Mayes averaged 26.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game.
Next game: Jan. 28 vs Wake Forest @ 7 PM
Terran Petteway, Nebraska – On the week, the senior guard led the Huskers to back-to-back conference victories over Minnesota and Michigan State. Against Michigan State, Petteway scored 32 points on 10-for-17 shooting in 40 minutes of action. If Nebraska wants to return to the NCAA tournament, Petteway’s leadership will have to carry the Huskers in a grueling Big 10 conference.
Next game: Jan. 27 at Michigan @ 7 PM
Rashad Vaughn, UNLV – The former McDonald’s All-American scored a season-high 31 points and grabbed 9 rebounds against Utah State on Saturday, helping UNLV end a 3-game losing streak. On the season, the 6-foot-6 guard leads the Rebels’ in scoring with 17.9 points per game. Vaughn is currently projected as the No. 32 pick in the 2015 Draft according to DraftExpress.com.
Next game: Jan. 27 at Nevada @ 10 PM
