Freshman guard Jodie Meeks has been named the SEC Freshman of the Week as announced by the league office this afternoon.

The 6-5 Norcross, Ga. native recorded a career and game high 18 points in helping lead the Wildcats to a 61-49 win over in-state rival Louisville in Freedom Hall. Meeks nailed four three pointers, a career high, including a three-pointer at the 10:20 mark of the second half that put Kentucky on top to stay. He hit 4-of-5 from the free throw line including three in a row when he was fouled in the act of shooting a three-pointer. His three free throws extended the Kentucky lead to eight points with 6:36 remaining putting the game out of reach for the Wildcats.

?He really stepped up big and had a good all-around game,? said head coach Tubby Smith. ?He did a good job of rebounding the ball, which is something we?ve tried to get him to do. He played good defensively. That?s what we expect from a guy when we put him in the game, we expect him to produce. Obviously, he went over and beyond the call of duty. All of the accolades and comments he gets are well deserved.?

The award is the first of the season for the Wildcats.

Kentucky hosts Santa Clara Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. at Rupp Arena. The game is being televised on FSN South and will be delayed on the Big Blue Sports Network.