BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Guard Devin Booker (pictured) was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week on Monday after scoring a game-high 19 points in Kentucky’s 83-44 victory over UCLA on Saturday in the CBS Sports Classic in Chicago.
The Grand Rapids, Mich., native made 7 of 10 shots overall, including 5 of 6 from behind the 3-point line. The five 3-pointers were the most by a Wildcat this season and matched Booker’s career high. He previously hit five treys in a win over UT Arlington.
Booker’s 19 points, which tied a career high, came in just 16 minutes of action.
The 6-foot-6 guard is averaging 10.0 points on the season, most of any UK freshman. He’s hit a team-best 22 3-pointers in 12 games and is knocking down his outside shots at a 45.8-percent clip.
Booker is the fourth Wildcats this season to win SEC Freshman of the Week honors. Karl-Anthony Towns has won the award twice already, and Trey Lyles claimed the honor following the opening week of competition.
Kentucky will return to action on Saturday when the Cats renew their annual rivalry with Louisville at the KFC Yum! Center. That game is set for a 2 p.m. broadcast on ESPN2.
Photo by Jamie H. Vaught
