Two Wildcats earn SEC Player of the Week honors

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - JANUARY 11: Immanuel Quickley #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates in the final seconds of the 76-67 win against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Rupp Arena on January 11, 2020 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - JANUARY 11: Immanuel Quickley #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates in the final seconds of the 76-67 win against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Rupp Arena on January 11, 2020 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Today, the Southeastern Conference released its weekly Player of the Week honors with two Wildcats, Maxey and Quickley, sweeping the awards.

1. SEC Freshman of the Week: Tyrese Maxey

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY – JANUARY 11: Tyrese Maxey #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots the ball against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Rupp Arena on January 11, 2020 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY – JANUARY 11: Tyrese Maxey #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots the ball against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Rupp Arena on January 11, 2020 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Tyrese Maxey is this week’s SEC Freshman of the Week.

He grabs this award for the third time this season. Maxey’s week began with a 17-point performance on the road against Georgia. Not only was he responsible for defending potential No. 1 Overall Pick, Anthony Edwards, but he achieved two new career highs, dishing out eight assists and blocking four shots.

Maxey also added 13 points to Kentucky’s dominant backcourt in a win over Alabama. This win extends Kentucky’s conference record to 3-0. This is the fifth time in the Calipari era that the Wildcats have begun with three consecutive wins to start conference play.

2. SEC Player of the Week: Immanuel Quickley

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY – JANUARY 11: Immanuel Quickley #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates in the final seconds of the 76-67 win against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Rupp Arena on January 11, 2020 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY – JANUARY 11: Immanuel Quickley #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates in the final seconds of the 76-67 win against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Rupp Arena on January 11, 2020 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

This one comes as no surprise. For the first time in his career, Immanuel Quickley has earned SEC Player of the Week honors. Over wins against Georgia and Alabama, Quickley made 8 of 9 three-point attempts.

Quickley also averaged 17.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals in those games. Quickley was essential in Kentucky’s win over Alabama, leading the Wildcats in scoring with 19 points. Over the last four games, Quickley has made 14 of 23 three-pointers (.680).

This is the second time this year Kentucky players have swept SEC Player of the Week honors.

The Wildcats, now #10 in the AP Poll, head to Columbia, South Carolina to face off against the Gamecocks on Wednesday at 6:30.

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