KNOXVILLE -- Tennessee power forward Jarnell Stokes was named the SEC Basketball Player of the Week Monday after powering the Volunteers to a pair of big wins last week.
This is the Memphis, Tenn., native’s second conference honor of the season, as he earned Freshman of the Week honors on Jan. 23.
Stokes played like a seasoned veteran in Tennessee triumphs over two teams with talented frontcourts last week, shooting 76 percent from the field and averaging 14.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 1.5 steals per game.
At LSU Wednesday, Stokes dominated down low, scoring a team-high 18 points on 9-of-10 shooting and grabbing seven rebounds. Then, despite suffering from a high fever late Friday night and into Saturday morning, Stokes put together a gutsy 11-point, 14-rebound effort against Vanderbilt Saturday for his second double-double of the season. His five blocks vs. the Commodores were one shy of the single-game school record.
Stokes has averaged 9.1 ppg and 7.5 rpg since joining the team in January. His stellar play down the stretch has helped the Vols win eight of their last nine games.
The Vols have now claimed three SEC weekly award this season. Sophomore point guard Trae Golden was named SEC Player of the Week on Nov. 14.
(E-mail Stan Crawley at wscrawley@earthlink.net)