Arizona’s Markkanen named Pac-12 Player of the Week after L.A. sweep

Jan 23, 2017, 12:03 PM | Updated: 12:07 pm

Arizona forward Lauri Markkanen, left, and guard Kobi Simmons celebrate after they scored late in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against UCLA, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, in Los Angeles. Arizona won 96-85. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

BY ARIZONA SPORTS

The Arizona Wildcats had a big weekend in Los Angeles with wins over USC and then-No. 3 UCLA, and they would not have pulled off the sweep without freshman Lauri Markkanen.

Markkanen, who is Arizona’s leading scorer, scored 23 points against the Trojans and 18 against the Bruins, and on Monday he was named the Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for his efforts.

In all, Markkanen made 14-of-22 shots over the weekend, including 8-of-10 three-point attempts. He also pulled down 15 rebounds in helping the Wildcats earn their first road sweep over both the Los Angeles schools (UCLA and USC) and Bay Area schools (Stanford and California) since 2002-03, as well as improve to 18-2 on the season and 7-0 in the Pac-12.

In 20 games this season, Markkanen is averaging 17.1 points and 7.4 rebounds while shooting .524 from the field and .500 from three-point range.

Markkanen is the first Wildcat to be honored with the player of the week award this season.

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Former professional baseball player Dave Winfield watches during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game between UCLA and Arizona, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar holds up a picture of himself receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama during halftime of an NCAA college basketball game between UCLA and Arizona, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, in Los Angeles. Abdul-Jabbar received the framed picture during a ceremony to celebrate Kareem Abdul-Jabbar day at UCLA. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

UCLA fans watch during the closing minutes of the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arizona, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, in Los Angeles. Arizona won 96-85. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona guard Allonzo Trier, center, shoots as UCLA guard Lonzo Ball, left, and center Thomas Welsh defend during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, in Los Angeles. Arizona won 96-85. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona guard Kobi Simmons, center, celebrates after scoring as UCLA guard Isaac Hamilton, left, and guard Aaron Holiday stand in the background during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, in Los Angeles. Arizona won 96-85. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona forward Lauri Markkanen, left, and guard Kobi Simmons celebrate after they scored late in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against UCLA, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, in Los Angeles. Arizona won 96-85. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

UCLA guard Lonzo Ball, center, shoots as Arizona forward Lauri Markkanen, left, and center Chance Comanche defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona guard Kadeem Allen, left, shoots as UCLA guard Isaac Hamilton defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

UCLA forward TJ Leaf, right, grabs a rebound away from Arizona guard Allonzo Trier during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona guard Kobi Simmons, right, shoots as UCLA guard Lonzo Ball defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona guard Kadeem Allen, right, shoots as UCLA forward Ike Anigbogu defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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