Michigan State University Athletics
Denzel Valentine Named Big Ten Player Of The Week
11/23/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Michigan State senior guard Denzel Valentine was named Big Ten Player of the Week by the conference office on Monday. Valentine averaged 18.0 points, 9.5 rebounds and 11.5 assists in Michigan State wins against No. 4 Kansas at the Champions Classic in Chicago and Arkansas-Pine Bluff at home.
Valentine was also named National Player of the Week by several media outlets including ESPN.com, CBS Sports and NBC Sports.
Valentine became just the fourth player in MSU history to record a triple-double with his 29 point, 12 rebound and 12 assist effort against the Jayhawks on Nov. 17. He went 10-23 from the field in 38 minutes of action to lead the Spartans to a 79-73 win. His 29 points and 12 assists were both career highs.
Against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Nov. 20, the Lansing, Michigan, native finished with seven points, seven rebounds and led all players with 11 assists in MSU's 92-46 victory. He finished the week with a 7.6 assist/turnover ratio, dishing out 23 assists to just three turnovers.
Valentine currently leads the Big Ten in assists and rebounding, averaging 10.7 and 9.0 per game, respectively. The 6-foot-5 guard also leads the Spartans in scoring this season, posting an average of 16.3 points through three games.
This is the first time a Spartan has been honored by the conference office this season and is Valentine's first-ever Big Ten Player of the Week award.
