Jan. 3, 2002

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Late Wednesday, the Southeastern Conference named Kentucky senior Tayshaun Prince its Player of the Week. The award period covered the last two holiday weeks Dec. 17 to Jan. 1. During that time, the UK forward averaged nearly a double-double, 17.3 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, as the Wildcats earned wins over Indiana and Louisville and fell in overtime to top-ranked Duke.

He was very consistent in late December, tallying 17 points and nine rebounds against the Blue Devils, 17 and 11 against the Hoosiers and 18 and nine against the Cardinals. The double-double against Indiana was his third this season and the 10th of his career.

Prince has led the Wildcats to a 9-2 start and a No. 6 national ranking in the AP poll. He leads the team in scoring (18.6 ppg) and rebounding (7.2 rpg) and has climbed to 17th on UK’s all-time scoring list with 1,420 points.

This is his first SEC Player of the Week honor this season and the first by a Wildcat. He won the award once as a sophomore and twice last season.