Ty Abbott becomes fourth Sun Devil freshman to earn Pac-10 Player of the Week

December 17, 2007

Sun Devil freshman Ty Abbott has earned Pac-10 Player of the Week after his 19-point performance that led ASU to its 77-55 win over No. 17 Xavier on Saturday. Abbott hit 7-of-10 shots from the floor, including five three pointers, and added six boards and two steals in 26 minutes in the 22-point win, the biggest over a ranked team in school history.

He is just the fourth Sun Devil freshman to earn the honor, joining Ike Diogu (Feb. 16, 2003), Mario Bennett (Feb. 24, 1992) and Chris Sandle (Dec. 10, 1984).

Abbott is averaging 10.4 points per game and 27.3 minutes per game and has started all nine games. He also is shooting 13-of-17 (.765) from the free throw line, as ASU leads the Pac-10 at 77.3 percent from the charity stripe (119-of-154).

Fifteen ASU players have been named Pac-10 Player of the Week on 24 occasions. It marks just the 27th time a freshman has earned the honor since the Pac-10 started the award in 1983-84, as UCLA freshman Kevin Love also earned the honor this year (Nov. 26).

ASU PAC-10 PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Ty Abbott (Fr.), Dec. 17, 2007

Ike Diogu (Jr.), Feb. 7, 2005
Ike Diogu (Jr.), Jan. 10, 2005
Ike Diogu (Jr.), Dec. 6, 2004

Tommy Smith (Sr.), Mar. 10, 2003
Ike Diogu (Fr.), Feb. 16, 2003

Chad Prewitt (Sr.), Jan. 7, 2002

Awvee Storey (Jr.), Feb. 5, 2001

Eddie House (Sr.), Feb. 21, 2000
Eddie House (Sr.), Jan. 10, 2000
Eddie House (Sr.), Jan. 3, 2000
Eddie House (Sr.), Dec. 20, 1999

Eddie House (Jr.), Dec. 21, 1998

Jeremy Veal (Sr.), Feb. 9, 1998

Mario Bennett (Jr.), Mar. 13, 1995
Mario Bennett (Jr.), Feb. 13, 1995

Stevin Smith (Jr.), Feb. 1, 1993
Dwayne Fontana (Jr.), Jan. 4, 1993

Mario Bennett (Fr.), Feb. 24, 1992
Jamal Faulkner (So.), Jan. 20, 1992

Alex Austin (Sr.), Jan. 9, 1990

Arthur Thomas (Jr.), Feb. 17, 1986

Bobby Thompson (Sr.) Jan. 14, 1985
Chris Sandle (Fr.) Dec. 10, 1984