Feb. 22, 2010

LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky men’s basketball player DeMarcus Cousins was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week as announced by the league office on Monday.

Cousins, a 6-foot-11 forward from Mobile, Ala., averaged 19.0 points and 9.5 rebounds in wins at Mississippi State and at No. 17 Vanderbilt. He recorded his 16th double-double of the season at Mississippi State with 19 points while pulling down game-high 14 rebounds. Against Vanderbilt he scored 19 points to go with five rebounds and three steals. Cousins has scored in double-figures in 18 of his last 19 games.

The honor is the fourth Freshman of the Week award for Cousins this season and his fifth weekly award this season. He was voted Player of the Week earlier this season.

The Wildcats have now received a league record 13 weekly awards from the SEC this season. In addition to Cousins, freshman John Wall has been honored five times and Eric Bledsoe twice. Patrick Patterson was named SEC Player of the Week in week two.

Kentucky returns to action on Thursday, hosting South Carolina. The game is scheduled for a 9:00 p.m. ET tip and can be seen live on ESPN2.