Syracuse Orange center Uche Izoje remains a key reason why the team is off to a strong start this season, and now the freshman is receiving an honor no player has ever received in the program’s history.
The United States Basketball Writers Association
gave its Tamika Catchings National Freshman of the Week honor to Izoje, the association announced Tuesday. Izoje is the first Syracuse women’s basketball player ever to win the honor, according to the team.Izoje is currently averaging 13.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.9 blocks in 24.3 minutes per game in 15 contests for the Orange, who are currently 13-2 overall and 3-1 against the ACC. She’s coming off a week where she averaged 19.5 points, 14.5 rebounds and 3.5 blocks in Syracuse’s two games against Florida State and Wake Forest, both of which were wins for the team.
Izoje also earned her fourth ACC Rookie of the Week selection of the year, the conference announced Monday. It’s her third ACC ROTW honor Izoje has received in the past five weeks.
And quietly, she’s easily one of the most productive players in the entire conference. Izoje currently sits first in field goal percentage and blocks, fifth in rebounding and 14th in scoring in the ACC, as of Wednesday.
Izoje will continue to serve a vital role on both ends of the court as the Orange look to dance their way into March Madness once again. She and the rest of the Orange will be back on the court Thursday at home to face Virginia Tech.
