Penn State news by
Penn State's student blog

Topics

More

Penn State Hoops’ Jalen Pickett Named ESPN National Player Of The Week

Penn State men’s basketball’s very own Jalen Pickett was named ESPN National Player of the Week following his two outstanding performances against Illinois and Minnesota. Over those two games, he averaged 36.5 points, eight assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game.

Throughout the course of that two-game stretch, Pickett shot 65% from the field, 53% from three, and 92.3% from the stripe. According to OptaSTATS, Pickett is the only collegiate player in the last 25 years to have a two-game span with 70+ points, 15+ assists, 10+ rebounds, 65.0+ field goal percentage, and 90.0+ free throw percentage. The only players to have those same numbers in the last 25 years are Lebron James and Steph Curry in the NBA.

In the game against Illinois, Pickett scored 41 points while shooting 75% from the field. He also totaled eight assists and two rebounds. It was the first 40+ point game for a Nittany Lion since 1961, and the sixth-ever 40-point game in program history. He also scored his 2,000th point in that game.

Pickett tallied 32 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists in Minnesota. He brought down his 700th career rebound as well, making him the first Division I player in at least 37 years to have accumulated 2000+ career points, 700+ career rebounds, and 700+ career assists.

Pickett continues to be the only player in the country averaging 18 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists per game. The last time a player finished the season with that stat line was Denzel Valentine’s All-American season in 2015 to 2016. He would go on to win Big Ten Player of the Year.

The Nittany Lions will return to action on Thursday, February 23, at Ohio State, where Pickett will try to keep his historic scoring streak alive.

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Owen Abbey

Owen Abbey was a Secondary Education major before he graduated from the wonderful institution known as Penn State. When he was not writing for the blog, he enjoyed rooting for the Baltimore Orioles and Ravens, supporting Penn State basketball and softball, dreaming of all of the ways he would win the TV show "Survivor," and yes mom, actually doing school work. All of this work prepared him to teach his own class of students, which was always his true passion. He still can be found on Twitter @theowenabbey and can be reached for questions and comments at [email protected]

‘There’s No Place Like Home’: Lizzie Palmieri’s Senior Column

“There were things that mattered and things that didn’t. Oftentimes, a quick peek behind the curtain was just enough to tell the difference.”

[Live Blog] The 2024 NFL Draft

Follow along as another generations of Penn State football players find their new homes.

[Photo Story] Campus From A Worm’s Eye View

Our worm friends took us on a guided tour of campus and showed us what they see from the world below.

Follow on Another Platform
113kFollowers
164kFollowers
59.7kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Other posts by Owen

The Oldest Story In The World: Owen Abbey’s Senior Column

“My time at Penn State has been more than I could ever expect. I am in awe of everything I got to do and experience. It is bittersweet, but I am grateful for everything just the same.”

Myles Dread Joins Penn State Alumni ‘The Basketball Tournament’ Team

A Guide To Penn State Hoops’ Transfer Portal Targets