Photo by Vicki Graff
Another week, another rewarding Monday for the Kentucky Wildcats. Star sophomore PJ Washington was recognized by the South Eastern Conference as Co-SEC Player of the Week, joining Tennessee’s Jordan Bone. Washington averaged a double-double of 20.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in Kentucky’s wins at Vanderbilt and Florida.
Monday marks the first time this season a Kentucky player received player of the week honors. The Wildcats have had Ashton Hagans, Keldon Johnson and Tyler Herro win multiple SEC Freshman of the Week awards but had previously fell short of the former.
Washington is now averaging 13.5 PPG and 8.5 RPG for his sophomore campaign. He’s also shooting 51.3% from the floor and a much improved 40.5% from downtown. Washington’s qualities extend beyond putting the basketball in the hoop, though, as he’s excelled at becoming the voice of the Wildcats.
Behind Washington, Kentucky made yet another surge in the Associated Press Top-25 rankings. This week, head coach John Calipari’s club climbed their way back into the top-five to sit fifth behind only Tennessee, Duke, Virginia and Gonzaga.
This week, Kentucky will host South Carolina on Tuesday and travel to Mississippi State on Saturday. Their favorable slate comes before a week of back-to-back tests against 21st-ranked LSU and top-ranked Tennessee, both at home.
Kentucky will continue to take one game at a time, though, which has earned the Wildcats their eight-game winning streak. Tip-off for Tuesday’s game against the South Carolina Gamecocks is set for 7 P.M. EDT on SEC Network with on-air coverage provided by 106.5 WKDZ radio.
