Pac-12 announces women's basketball players of the week

Oregon State’s Hamblin Named Player of the Week

Oregon’s Bando Selected Freshman of the Week

SAN FRANCISCO - OREGON STATE’s Ruth Hamblin was named the Pac-12 Player of the Week, while OREGON’s Lexi Bando was tabbed the Freshman of the Week, as announced by the Conference on Monday.

Junior center Ruth Hamblin (Houston, B.C.) was a key piece in Oregon State’s three-win week which included a 15-point victory over No. 6 North Carolina, 70-55. The junior was dominant against the Tar Heels, putting up 17 points on 7-for-9 shooting to go with 10 rebounds and five blocks. Hamblin followed that up with another double-digit scoring performance against Southern Illinois to lead the Beavers to a 71-55 win, putting up 16 points on 5-for-9 shooting, while adding four rebounds and two blocks. The Canadian closed out her week with a six-point, three-rebound, three-block performance in just 14 minutes of playing time, as the Beavers cruised past Nevada, 73-50. Hamblin currently sits one block short of the Oregon State career blocks record.

Oregon guard Lexi Bando (Eugene, Ore.) earns Freshman of the Week honors after averaging 20.5 points per game in the Ducks’ two games last week. Against Santa Clara, Bando dropped 28 points, going 11-for-16 from the field and 6-for-8 from behind the three-point line to lead the Ducks to victory in double-overtime, 92-88. In the Ducks’ 59-68 loss to Fresno State, Bando scored 13 points and dished out four assists. 

A player of the week has been selected every week since 1986-87, the first year the Conference sponsored women’s sports. A freshman of the week was first selected in 2012-13.

Oregon State will hit the road and face-off with No. 8 Tennessee on the road on Saturday, Dec. 28 at 1 p.m. ET. Oregon’s next game is Sunday, Dec. 29 and the Ducks will face off with Seattle U at home at 4 p.m. PT.

Also Nominated:

PLAYER: Sophie Brunner, ASU; Jamee Swan, COLO; Jillian Alleyne, ORE; Taryn Wicijowski, UTAH; Brianna Barrett, USC; Kelsey Plum, WASH; Lia Galdeira, WSU

FRESHMAN: Brecca Thomas, COLO; Joseta Fatuesi, UTAH; Louise Brown, WSU

2014 Player of the Week History