BYU’s Saunders, OSU’s Ousmane Win Penultimate Big 12 Men’s Basketball Weekly Honors
Richie Saunders of BYU (Player of the Week) and Abou Ousmane of Oklahoma State (Newcomer of the Week) were honored with Big 12 men’s basketball weekly awards for games concluding on March 2.
Saunders played a key role in BYU extending its winning streak to six games, securing victories over Arizona State (91-81) and West Virginia (77-56). The junior guard from Riverton, Utah, scored 26 points against the Sun Devils, matching his career-high with six 3-pointers. He contributed 13 points in just 25 minutes against the Mountaineers, resting for the final 12:07 as the Cougars held a double-digit lead. Saunders averaged 19.5 points and 4.0 rebounds, earning his second consecutive Player of the Week recognition.
Ousmane had a standout 25-point performance against No. 9 Iowa State, helping Oklahoma State secure its first AP Top 25 victory of the season. The senior forward, a transfer from Xavier, also recorded six rebounds and four steals in the 74-68 win. Despite battling foul trouble against Baylor, he still managed nine points and six rebounds in only 13 minutes. Ousmane averaged 17.0 points and 6.0 rebounds for the week, becoming the first Oklahoma State player to earn a weekly award since the 2022-23 season.
Big 12 Player of the Week
Nov. 11: Hunter Dickinson, Kansas, C, Gr.
Nov. 18: Hunter Dickinson, Kansas, C, Gr.
Nov. 25: Norchad Omier, Baylor, F, 5th
Dec. 2: Keshon Gilbert, Iowa State, G, Sr. & Javon Small, West Virginia, G, Sr.
Dec. 9: Keshon Gilbert, Iowa State, G, Sr.
Dec. 16: Hunter Dickinson, Kansas, C, Gr.
Dec. 23: Darrion Williams, Texas Tech, F, Jr.
Jan. 6: Javon Small, West Virginia, G, Sr.
Jan. 13: Curtis Jones, Iowa State, G, Sr.
Jan. 20: Javon Small, West Virginia, G, Sr.
Jan. 27: Milos Uzan, Houston, G, Jr.
Feb. 3: Caleb Love, Arizona, G, Sr.
Feb. 10: David N’Guessan, Kansas State, F, Sr.
Feb. 17: JT Toppin, Texas Tech, F, So.
Feb. 24: Richie Saunders, BYU, G, Jr.
Mar. 3: Richie Saunders, BYU, G, Jr.
Big 12 Newcomer of the Week
Nov. 11: Egor Demin, BYU, G, Fr. & Zeke Mayo, Kansas, G, Sr.
Nov. 18: Egor Demin, BYU, G, Fr. & Joson Sanon, Arizona State, G, Fr.
Nov. 25: JT Toppin, Texas Tech, F, So.
Dec. 2: Tucker DeVries, West Virginia, G/F, Sr.
Dec. 9: Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State, F, Jr.
Dec. 16: Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State, F, Jr. & Zeke Mayo, Kansas, G, Sr.
Dec. 23: Jayden Quaintance, Arizona State, F, Fr.
Jan. 6: Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State, F, Jr. & Noah Reynolds, TCU, G, Sr.
Jan. 13: Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State, F, Jr.
Jan. 20: Keyshawn Hall, UCF, G, Jr.
Jan. 27: VJ Edgecombe, Baylor, G, Fr. & Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State, F, Jr.
Feb. 3: Robert Wright III, Baylor, G, Fr.
Feb. 10: Tobe Awaka, Arizona, F, Jr.
Feb. 17: JT Toppin, Texas Tech, F, So.
Feb. 24: JT Toppin, Texas Tech, F, So.
Mar
. 3: Abou Ousman, Oklahoma State, F, Sr.
