Dec. 9, 2008

LEXINGTON, Ky. – UK basketball player DeAndre Liggins has been named the SEC Freshman of the Week as announced by the league office on Monday.

The 6-6 Chicago, Ill., native helped lead Kentucky to a 2-1 record last week with wins over Lamar (103-61) and Mississippi Valley State (88-65) sandwiched around a 73-67 loss to 21st ranked Miami (Fla.).

Liggins scored a personal best 16 points and pulled down a career high seven rebounds against Lamar and then topped that with 18 points and seven more rebounds the next time out against No. 21 Miami. In the win over Lamar, Liggins was perfect hitting 6-of-6 from the field, including 2-for-2 from the three point line, and 2-for-2 from the free throw line. He has scored in double figures in each of UK’s last three games.

The award is the second of the season for the Wildcats and the first for Liggins. Jodie Meeks was named the league’s Player of the Week last week.

Kentucky hosts Indiana on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. at Rupp Arena. The game will be televised on CBS.