LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky junior forward Evelyn Akhator (pictured) has been named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week by the league office and CollegeSportsMadness.com after helping the Wildcats defeat two ranked teams last week, it was announced Monday, Feb. 29.
Akhator was brilliant for Kentucky, averaging 15.0 points and 13.5 rebounds per game in UK’s wins over No. 24 Missouri and No. 11 Texas A&M. Against the Tigers, Akhator scored 15 points with nine rebounds, including hitting a season-best .750 (6-of-8) from the field with one block. She followed that performance with her 10th double-double of the season at Texas A&M with 15 points and 18 rebounds, adding three assists and two steals. The junior’s 18 rebounds set a new season high, while her 10 offensive rebounds were also a season best.
On the season, the native of Lagos, Nigeria, is averaging 11.6 points and 9.4 rebounds game. Akhator has recorded 10 or more rebounds in 12 games, while scoring in double figures in 19 games. She currently ranks second in the SEC in rebounds per game, while ranking second in offensive rebounds with 100 and second in total rebounds with 255. Akhator also ranks top 20 in the SEC in scoring.
Akhator has been key in Kentucky’s recent six-game winning streak, which marked the first time in program history the Wildcats have won six straight SEC games by double digits. During that stretch, Akhator is averaging a double-double with 11.8 points per game and 10.2 rebounds per game, adding six assists, six steals and two blocks.
This is the first career SEC honor for Akhator, who transferred to Kentucky from Chipola Community College this summer. It is the second weekly award for Kentucky this season as Makayla Epps was named the SEC Player of the Week back in December by the league office.
The Wildcats are the No. 5 seed in the SEC Tournament this week and will return to the court on Thursday at approx. 2:30 p.m. ET to face the winner of 12th-seeded Alabama and 13th-seeded LSU. All second-round games will be televised on the SEC Network.
UK Athletics Photo
