Ogwumike, Brunner voted Pac-12 players of the week

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - The Pac-12 Conference office announced today the Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Players of the Week for the week of Nov. 25-Dec. 1. STANFORD’s Chiney Ogwumike was voted the Pac-12 Player of the Week for a third time this season and ARIZONA STATE’s Sophie Brunner was tabbed the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week.

Senior forward Chiney Ogwumike (Cypress, Texas) led No. 6/5 Stanford to the Hardwood Tournament of Hope title this week in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, averaging 25.3 points and 11.0 rebounds, while also shooting 78.0 percent (32-for-41) from the field over the Cardinal’s 3-0 outing. Ogwumike posted a pair of double-doubles in wins over Florida Gulf Coast and South Dakota State, topping out with 29 points on Thursday against the Jackrabbits and 13 rebounds Wednesday against the Eagles. Her 27 points on 11-for-13 shooting against FGC helped Hall of Fame head coach Tara VanDerveer claim her 900th-career victory. Against No. 16/22 Purdue, Ogwumike went 9-for-11 from the field and scored a game-high 22 points to open the tournament.

Despite being limited because of injury, freshman guard Sophie Brunner (Freeport, Ill.) sparked the Sun Devils to help them to three wins, including an overtime upset over then-No. 10 North Carolina, 94-81, coming off the bench to average 9.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Brunner posted her first-career double-double, tallying 10 points and 10 rebounds, in the win over the Tar Heels with all her points and seven of her boards coming in the second half and overtime. She had another big second half against Arkansas State, scoring 11 of her career-high 13 points to help ASU hold off the Red Wolves, 69-66. She also helped ASU defeat Illinois, 84-60, connecting on her only two field goal attempts in 12 minutes of action. Brunner connected on 82 percent of her shots (9-11) and averaged 9.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.

It is Ogwumike’s Pac-12-record 12th player of the week honor and Stanford’s 93rd all-time. It is ASU’s first-ever freshman of the week nod.

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.

The Sun Devils host the annual ASU Classic on Saturday, Dec. 7 and 8, welcoming Long Beach State, Harvard and Sacred Heart to Tempe. The Cardinal are off until Saturday, Dec. 14 when it hosts Gonzaga.

Also Nominated:

PLAYER: Kama Griffits, ARIZ; Adrianne Thomas, ASU; Brittany Boyd, CAL; Lexy Kresl, COLO; Jillian Alleyne, ORE; Jamie Weisner, OSU; Cassie Harberts, USC; Michelle Plouffe, UTAH; Tia Presley, WSU.

FRESHMAN: Courtney Range, CAL; Chrishae Rowe, ORE; Erica McCall, STAN.

2013-14 Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Players of the Week