Dec. 22, 2014

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Guard Devin Booker was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week on Monday after scoring a game-high 19 points in Kentucky’s 83-44 victory over UCLA on Saturday in the CBS Sports Classic in Chicago.

The Grand Rapids, Mich., native made 7 of 10 shots overall, including 5 of 6 from behind the 3-point line. The five 3-pointers were the most by a Wildcat this season and matched Booker’s career high. He previously hit five treys in a win over UT Arlington.

Booker’s 19 points, which tied a career high, came in just 16 minutes of action.

The 6-foot-6 guard is averaging 10.0 points on the season, most of any UK freshman. He’s hit a team-best 22 3-pointers and is knocking down his outside shots at a 45.8-percent clip.

Booker is the fourth Wildcat this season to win SEC Freshman of the Week honors. Karl-Anthony Towns has won the award twice already, and Trey Lyles claimed the honor following the opening week of competition.

Kentucky will return to action on Saturday when the Cats renew their annual rivalry with Louisville at the KFC Yum! Center. That game is set for a 2 p.m. broadcast on ESPN2.

For the latest on the Kentucky men’s basketball team, follow @KentuckyMBB on Twitter and on the web at UKathletics.com.

Congrats to @DevinBook, your SEC Freshman of the Week. It’s the fourth time this season a Wildcat has won the honor. pic.twitter.com/CEn5hvZih3

— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) December 22, 2014