SEC Tabs Newman Freshman Of The Week
December 28, 2015 | Men's Basketball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Following a career-high 20 points against Northern Colorado that propelled Mississippi State to its second-consecutive win, heralded guard Malik Newman has been tabbed the SEC's Freshman of the Week.
It's the third league honor for the Bulldogs, as Gavin Ware was named player of the week back in November, while Quinndary Weatherspoon received freshman of the week honors earlier this month.
“Every game, I'm just trying to get better,” said Newman, a preseason All-SEC selection. “I credit my teammates and coaches for the success I'm having right now. When I'm struggling, they push me.”
Newman's standout performance against the Bears came in his hometown of Jackson, Miss., and at Mississippi Coliseum, the same venue he won four state championships while at Calloway.
In 27 minutes of play, he drained 6 of his 11 shots and was 4-8 beyond the arc. He also made all four of his free throw attempts, grabbed 4 rebounds, dished out 2 assists and collected 1 steal.
He's scored in double-digits four-straight games and seven times on the year.
“My teammates got me wide-open looks, and I was able to knock them down,” said Newman, who is averaging 13.1 points and leads MSU with 24 made 3-pointers. “It was great being back in Jackson and playing in front of our fans.”
This is the most league honors since also receiving three in 2013. The most for Mississippi State is four in 2006 when Jamont Gordon was named freshman of the week four times.
Mississippi State (6-5) returns to action at 1 p.m. on Thursday at home against North Carolina Central in a game televised by the SEC Network+. It's the final non-conference outing before SEC play begins on Jan. 6 at Humphrey Coliseum against Texas A&M.
