INDIANAPOLIS (USBWA) The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has selected Virginia Tech forward
Keve Aluma as its Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week for games ending the week of Sunday, Jan. 31.
As the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Week, Aluma was nominated for the weekly award, which was chosen by a representative of the USBWA board of directors from a list of Division I conference players of the week. Once again, the USBWA will select a Division I men's National Player of the Week each Tuesday throughout the season. The USBWA has named Oscar Robertson National Players of the Week since the 2009-10 season.
Aluma, a 6-9 junior from Berlin, Md., averaged 21.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 blocks per game as the Hokies won at won at Notre Dame, 62-51, on Tuesday and then topped then-No. 8 Virginia, 65-51, on Saturday in Blacksburg. The No. 16 Hokies, at 7-2, are off to the program's best start in ACC play since joining the league for the 2004-05 season. Aluma shot 60 percent (15-of-25) from the field and 91.7 percent (11-of-12) from the free-throw line in the two wins.
On Tuesday night, Aluma had 14 points and 12 rebounds in 30 minutes and followed that up with 29 points, 10 rebounds and four assists in the decisive win over Virginia. Aluma shot 60 percent (15-of-25) from the field and 91.7 percent (11-of-12) from the free-throw line in the two wins. He is now averaging 14.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game to lead the Hokies.
Aluma is the first Virginia Tech player to earn the USBWA's National Player of the Week honor since the program was initiated in the 2009-10 season. The Hokes travel to Pitt for a 7 p.m. ET tipoff tomorrow night.
Since the 1958-59 season, the USBWA has named a National Player of the Year. In 1998, the award was named in honor of the University of Cincinnati Hall of Famer and two-time USBWA Player of the Year Oscar Robertson. It is the nation's oldest award and the only one named after a former player.
At the conclusion of the regular season, the USBWA will name finalists for the award, which is voted on by the entire membership.
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 an All-America team since the 1956-57 season. For more information on the USBWA and the Oscar Robertson Trophy, contact executive director Malcolm Moran at 814-574-1485.
2020-21 Oscar Robertson National Players of the Week
Week ending Dec. 20: Boo Buie, Northwestern (Big Ten
Conference)
· Week ending Dec. 27: Corey Kispert,
Gonzaga (West Coast Conference)
· Week ending
Jan. 3: Liam Robbins, Minnesota (Big Ten Conference)
·
Week ending Jan. 10: Matthew Hurt, Duke (Atlantic
Coast Conference)
· Week ending Jan. 17: Matt
Lewis, James Madison (Colonial Athletic Association)
·
Week ending Jan. 24: Jared Butler, Baylor (Big 12
Conference)
· Week ending Jan. 31: Keve Aluma,
Virginia Tech (Atlantic Coast Conference)
·
Week ending Feb. 7: Terry Taylor, Austin Peay (Ohio Valley Conference)
·
Week ending Feb. 14: Drew Timme, Gonzaga (West Coast
Conference)
· Week ending Feb. 21: Noah Williams,
Washington State (Pac-12 Conference)
· Week
ending Feb. 28: Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State (Big 12 Conference)