February 8, 2010

Senior Denis Clemente was named the Phillips 66 Big 12 Player of the Week for the second time in his career on Monday in announcement by the league office.

Clemente, who helped the Wildcats to a pair of road wins over Nebraska (76-57) and Iowa State (79-75) this past week, averaged 26.5 points on 50 percent shooting (16-of-32), including 64.7 percent (11-of-17) from 3-point range, with 4.0 assists and 3.5 rebounds in 36.0 minutes per game. He also went a combined 10-of-10 from the free throw line in the wins.

Clemente began the week by scoring a game-high 23 points in the Wildcats’ first win at Nebraska since 2006. He went 7-of-14 from the field, including 5-of-9 from 3-point range, with a team-tying five assists and three rebounds in 35 minutes of action. He then followed with his second career 30-point game in the Wildcats’ fourth straight win at Iowa State on Saturday, connecting on 9-of-18 field goals, including 6-of-8 from beyond the arc, with four rebounds and three assists in 37 minutes. He also went a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line. It was Clemente’s highest point total since tying the Big 12 record with 44 against Texas on Jan. 31, 2009, while his six 3-pointers matched his career-high, which was set in the performance against the Longhorns. The performance against Cyclones helped propel him into the school’s career Top 10 in both 3-point field goals made (110, ninth) and 3-point field goals attempted (313, ninth).

Clemente is the second Wildcat to earned Phillips 66 Big 12 Player of the Week honors this season after Jacob Pullen claimed the distinction on Dec. 14, 2009. He also won the weekly award on Feb. 2, 2009 after averaging 27 points in wins over Missouri and Texas. Overall, he is the seventh Wildcat to earn the honor since 1997-98.