INDIANAPOLIS (USBWA) – The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has selected Austin Peay forward Terry Taylor as its Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week for games ending the week of Sunday, Feb. 7.
As the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week, Taylor 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.
Taylor, a 6-5 senior from Bowling Green, Ky., became Austin Peay's all-time leading scorer in a week when he averaged 24.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.7 steals per game in three road games. He opened the week with 15 points, eight rebounds and four assists in a 74-59 win at SIUE on Monday. Three nights later, he followed up with 30 points, 14 rebounds and four assists in a 94-79 win at Eastern Kentucky and in the process become the school's all-time leading scorer, also moving into sixth place in OVC history. Taylor was 13-of-21 from the field in the win, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range. He closed the week on Saturday with 28 points, 10 rebounds, three steals and two blocks in a one-point overtime loss at Morehead State, where he played all 45 minutes.
Taylor is the only player nationally to rank in the Top 10 in scoring (21.7) and rebounding (10.8), eighth in both categories. He also leads the country in double-doubles (13) and offense rebounds per game (4.72). The senior enters the week with 2,313 career points and 1,142 career rebounds. He is just the third OVC player to earn the USBWA's national weekly honor, joining Kenneth Faried and Ja Morant.
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.