AUBURN, Ala. (EETV) – Two Auburn Men’s Basketball players earned Southeastern Conference Honors for their performances this week; Sophomore Walker Kessler was named SEC co-Player of the Week and Freshman Jabari Smith was honored as the SEC Freshman of the Week.
This is Kessler’s second SEC Player of the Week honor this season, sharing the honor this week with Arkansas forward Jaylin Williams. Kessler had a big week averaging 17 points, 6.5 rebounds and four blocks in two games. In Auburn’s 83-60 win over Georgia, Kessler tallied 15 points, six rebounds, and six blocks. Those six blocks added to his season total of 78 blocks, which is second highest in the NCAA.
The matchup Kessler faced against No. 12 Kentucky was a much anticipated one, as he battled Kentucky forward Oscar Tshiebwe, who has been named to the Wooden Award Top-25 Watchlist for the Player of the Year Award. Kessler stepped up to the challenge, pouring in 19 points with seven rebounds in a win versus the highly touted Wildcats.
And as for Smith, a projected NBA Lottery Pick in this year’s draft, he kept up his stellar this week. The freshman had 12 points on 50% shooting and seven boards against Georgia on Wednesday. He kept his double-digit scoring streak of 16 games alive against UK, recording 14 points and seven rebounds. Smith is averaging a team high 15.7 points per game this season.
Auburn will take its new Associated Press Poll No. 1 ranking to battle Missouri in Columbia, Missouri on Tuesday Jan. 25 at 7:30 P.M. CST, and make sure to keep an eye out for these two Auburn standouts.
