NORMAN - Oklahoma junior guard
Elijah Harkless has been named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week, the conference announced Monday.
The transfer from Cal State Northridge fueled the Sooners to a 2-0 week as the team's defensive catalyst. The 6-3 guard led the conference in steals (six), rebounds (20) and rebounds per game (10.0).Ā
He made his pressence known throughout the stat sheet, also averaging 7.5 points, 4.5 assists and 50% shooting.
Harkless opened the week by becoming the first major conference player to produce 13 rebounds, six assists and three steals in a game this season. His 13 boards in a 26-point win over K-State tied a career high and marked his first game of double-digit rebounds as a Sooner.
The guard played a huge role in OU's upset win over No. 9 Kansas on Saturday, producing seven points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Oklahoma checked into the AP Top-25 for the first time this season at No. 24. Much of the Sooners' recent success has come from introducing a four-guard lineup that features Harkless in the starting five.Ā
Since adding Harkless to the starting lineup, Oklahoma has gone 3-1 with the lone loss coming to Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse. During that four-game stretch, the Sooners are winning the turnover battle 63 to 32 while holding opponents to 41.1% shooting (27.6% from 3).
The Sooners are back in action Tuesday against No. 5 Texas. The road matchup in Austin tips at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN2.