SAN BRUNO, Calif. – Santa Clara's Maia Jones claimed West Coast Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Week honors as the Broncos boast their best start in 25 years. After leading Gonzaga in a win over Portland, Lauren Whittaker has now garnered at least a share of West Coast Conference Women's Basketball Freshman of the Week for four weeks in a row.
WEST COAST CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE WEEK – MAIA JONES, JR., G, – SANTA CLARA
Maia Jones (Tasman, New Zealand) earned player of the week accolades after leading Santa Clara to wins over San Francisco and Washington State, helping the Broncos earn a 5-1 start in conference play for the first time since beginning 5-1 during the 2007-08 season. In the 77-67 victory over the Dons, Jones tied a season high with 25 points while shooting 3-for-6 from three. In the high-octane 98-92 victory over Washington State, Jones scored 23 points, hitting on five three's and gathering three steals. The junior averaged 24.0 points on the week while shooting 8-for-19 (.421) from behind the arc. This is her first and the Broncos third conference honor of the season.
Also Nominated: Winner Bartholomew, Pacific; Maya Hernandez, LMU; Hallie Rhodes, San Diego; Abigail Shoff, Saint Mary's; Kennedie Shuler, Oregon State; Tamia Stricklin, Seattle U; Eleonora Villa, Washington State; Lauren Whittaker, Gonzaga
WEST COAST CONFERENCE FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK – LAUREN WHITTAKER, F – GONZAGA
For the fourth straight week and seventh time this season, Lauren Whittaker (Canterbury, New Zealand) garnered freshman of the week honors. In Gonzaga's lone game of the week, the freshman led the Zags to a 69-55 win over Portland after scoring 22 points and grabbing 10 rebounds for her ninth double-double of the season. The forward leads all freshmen and is seventh in the nation in double-doubles on the season. Whittaker was also 8-for-14 (.571) shooting on the day, including 2-of-3 (.667) from three. Whittaker has earned eight of Gonzaga's nine conference weekly awards, inclusive of freshman and player of the week, this season.
Also Nominated: Lara Alonso-Basurto, Oregon State; Delainey Miller, Santa Clara; Sophia Mindermann, Pacific; 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
December 29: Jenna Villa, Oregon State
January 5: Ashley Hawkins, Santa Clara
January 12: Maia Jones, Santa Clara
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
December 29: Lauren Whittaker, Gonzaga
January 5: Aina Cargol, San Francisco & Lauren Whittaker, Gonzaga
January 12: Lauren Whittaker, Gonzaga