TEXAS' ATKINS IS WOMEN'SNATIONAL FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK

ST. LOUIS (USBWA) The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has selected Texas' Ariel Atkins as its Women's National Freshman of the Week for games ending the week of Sunday, Feb. 1. The USBWA's weekly honor will be handed out each Tuesday through Feb. 17 this season.


As the Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Week, Atkins earned consideration as a nominee for the weekly award, which was chosen by Mel Greenberg, the USBWA coordinator for womens basketball, from a list of Division I conference freshmen of the week. This is the second time this season the USBWA has honored her as the National Freshman of the Week.


Atkins, a 5-11 guard from Duncanville, Texas, averaged 17 points in two games, and shot 15-for-17 from the free throw line in those two games. She scored 21 points in the Longhorns' double overtime win against then-No. 24 Oklahoma last Thursday and added 13 in a loss at TCU on Sunday.


Since the 2003-04 season, the USBWA has named a Women's National Freshman of the Year. At the 2012 Women's Final Four in Denver, the organization announced going forward that the national and weekly player award has been named for Hall of Famer and former UCLA All-American Ann Meyers Drysdale and another famous name in womens basketball name is being deliberated for the freshman award. At the conclusion of the regular season, the freshman of the year will be voted on by the entire USBWA membership. The winner of the 2015 Women·s National Freshman of the Year will be announced and presented at the USBWA's annual awards event in Tampa, site of the 2015 NCAA Women·s Final Four.


The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With some 900 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. It has selected a women's All-America team since the 1996-97 season. For more information on the USBWA and its award programs, contact executive director Joe Mitch at 314-795-6821.


2014-15 Women's National Freshmen of the Week

Week ending Dec. 7: A'ja Wilson, South Carolina (Southeastern Conference)

· Week ending Dec. 14: Kaylee Johnson, Stanford (Pac-12 Conference)

· Week ending Dec. 21: Azur· Stevens, Duke (Atlantic Coast Conference)

· Week ending Dec. 28: Brianna Turner, Notre Dame (Atlantic Coast Conference)

· Week ending Jan. 4: Kelsey Mitchell, Ohio State (Big Ten Conference)

· Week ending Jan. 11: Ashunae Durant, Hofstra (Colonial Athletic Association)

· Week ending Jan. 18: Brianna Turner, Notre Dame (Atlantic Coast Conference)

· Week ending Jan. 25: Kelsey Mitchell, Ohio State (Big Ten Conference)

· Week ending Feb. 1: Ariel Atkins, Texas (Big 12 Conference)

· Week ending Feb. 8: Azur· Stevens, Duke (Atlantic Coast Conference)

· Week ending Feb. 15: Victoria Vivians, Mississippi State (Southeastern Conference)