SAN BRUNO, Calif. – Gonzaga freshman Lauren Whittaker (Canterbury, New Zealand) was named both the West Coast Conference Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week on Monday following three standout performances this past week. Whittaker, a candidate for National Freshman of the Year honors, has won freshman of the week four times already this season. This is her first player of the week honor.  
 
Whittaker averaged 19.7 points and 12.7 rebounds per game to go along with five steals and three blocks in Gonzaga’s three games last week. She posted a pair of double-doubles with 19 points and a career-best 16 rebounds in Friday’s victory at Missouri State. On Sunday, Whittaker recorded 16 points and 13 rebounds in the road win against UC Riverside. The freshman came close to a third double-double on the week, finishing with 24 points and nine rebounds against Arizona State last Tuesday, as the Bulldogs nearly handed the Sun Devils their first loss of the season.
 
The Gonzaga forward is second in the nation in scoring among freshmen with an average of 19.5 points per game. Her 9.3 rebounds per contest is seventh best among freshmen in the country. Whittaker’s five double-doubles is tied for the most among freshmen nationally and is a Gonzaga record for a freshman.
 
She owns five 20-point games this season, highlighted by a 29-point performance against Colorado State last month. The 29 points are tied for the most by a West Coast Conference player this season (Santa Clara’s Sophie Glancey scored 29 vs. Grand Canyon).
 
Gonzaga has won five of its last six games, finishing non-conference play with an 8-5 mark. All 12 West Coast Conference programs will begin conference play on Sunday, Dec. 28.
 
Also nominated for Player of the Week were Dyani Ananiev, Portland; Ella Brubaker, Seattle U; Meghan Fiso, Pepperdine; Kylee Fox, Santa Clara; Andjela Matic, LMU; Hallie Rhodes, San Diego; Abigail Shoff, Saint Mary's; Kennedie Shuler, Oregon State
 
Also nominated for Freshman of the Week were Lara Alonso-Basurto, Oregon State; Julia Dalan, Portland, Seleh Harmon, Pepperdine, Olivia Owens, San Diego
 
West Coast Conference Women’s Basketball Player of the Week
November 10: Allie Turner, Gonzaga
November 17: Tiara Bolden, Oregon State
November 24: Candy Edokpaigbe, San Francisco
December 1: Candy Edokpaigbe, San Francisco
December 8: Shorna Preston, Pepperdine
December 15: Sophie Glancey, Santa Clara 
December 22: Lauren Whittaker, Gonzaga
 
 
West Coast Conference Women’s Basketball Freshman of the Week
November 10: Lauren Whittaker, Gonzaga
November 17: Aina Cargol, San Francisco
November 24: Lauren Whittaker, Gonzaga
December 1: Lauren Whittaker, Gonzaga
December 8: Ayla Williams, San Diego
December 15: Julia Dalan, Portland 
December 22: Lauren Whittaker, Gonzaga