NORMAN ā Oklahoma senior forward
Kristian Doolittle has been named the Big 12 Player of the Week, the conference announced Monday.
Doolittle led the Sooners to a 77-69 win over Oregon State in Portland, Ore., on Tuesday with a double-double of 19 points and a career-high 16 rebounds. The forward added four assists in his performance and became just the third OU player in the Big 12 era to total at least 19 points, 16 rebounds and four assists, joining Eduardo Najera and Blake Griffin (twice).
After starting the game shooting 1-of-6 from the field, Doolittle closed the first half by scoring OU's final nine points of the frame - including a go-ahead bucket as the clock expired to end the half. He made five of his final eight shots.
Doolittle also sunk a pair of 3-pointers on two attempts. The forward failed to register a deep ball last season and had totaled only two 3-pointers over his previous 59 games.
The reigning Big 12 Most Improved Player and honorable mention selection to the All-Big 12 Preseason Team, Doolittle is averaging 14.5 points, 13.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists through two games.
Dating back to last season, Doolittle is averaging 16.2 points and 9.7 rebounds in his last 11 games. He has registered six double-doubles in that span, highlighted by 24 points and 11 rebounds against Kansas on March 5 and 19 points with 15 boards versus Ole Miss in the NCAA Tournament on March 22.
The Player of the Week nod is Doolittle's first Big 12 weekly award of his career. He is the first Sooner to earn the honor since
Christian James on Dec. 10, 2018.
Doolittle and the Sooners are back at home Monday when they host William & Mary at 6 p.m. CT at Lloyd Noble Center. The non-conference contest will air on Fox Sports Oklahoma and the Sooner Radio Network.
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