Feb. 6, 2012
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - San Diego State sophomore guard Jamaal Franklin has been named Mountain West Player of the Week, the league announced Monday morning. The award is Franklin's second of his career and marks the fourth time this season an Aztec has been honored by the MW.
The Hawthorne, Calif., native led San Diego State to a 2-0 week after wins over Boise State and TCU to put the Aztecs alone in first place at the mid-way point of league play. The sophomore averaged 20.0 points and 9.5 rebounds, while shooting 50.0 percent from the field (10-for-20) and 90.0 percent from the charity stripe (18-for-20). His points and rebounds averages, and free-throw percentage led the team. Franklin's field-goal percentage was also tops on the team among players with a minimum 15 shot attempts.
In the victory over Boise State, Franklin led SDSU with 16 points, a game-high eight rebounds and a team-high one blocked shot. The sophomore was also 9-for-10 from the free-throw line. The nine free throws marked a career high. Three days later vs. TCU, Franklin finished with a game-high 24 points, a game- and career-high 11 rebounds, one assist and a game-high one blocked shot. The sophomore was, again, 9-for-10 from the charity stripe. With his effort, Franklin is 36 for his last 39 from the free-throw line. His 20-point effort was his sixth of the season and career, while the double-double was his seventh in his last 10 games.
With Franklin and the Aztecs' effort last week, San Diego State moved up in both college basketball polls. SDSU is ranked No. 13 in the Associated Press Top 25 and is No. 14 in the USA Today/ESPN Top 25.
San Diego State returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 11, when it faces No. 14/16 UNLV at Thomas & Mack Center. The game is set for 1 p.m. PT and will be televised on NBC Sports Network.