Beasley Named CHN Player of the Week

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Freshman forward Michael Beasley earned his first award of the season on Sunday night, as he was selected as the Collegehoops.net National Player of the Week for his efforts in wins over Sacramento State and Pittsburg State.

The nation’s No. 1 high school recruit lived up to his preseason billings, as he averaged 31.0 points and 19.0 rebounds in guiding the Wildcats to a pair of wins to open the 2007-08 season.  In addition to connecting on 61.5 percent of his field goals, he averaged 3.5 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.5 steals in 30.0 minutes per game. 

Beasley had a memorable first game as a Wildcat, he set two school records and one Big 12 mark in helping Kansas State to a season-opening victory over Sacramento State on Friday.  He posted 32 points on 12-of-20 field goals with 24 rebounds, four assists, four blocks and two steals in 31 minutes.  He is just the third player in school history to top 30 points and 20 rebounds in a single-game and the first since Bob Boozer did it against Colorado in 1957.  The 32 points were the most points by a freshman in a debut, while the 24 rebounds were the most by a freshman in a single-game and the third-most by a Wildcat in school history.  The 24 rebounds also eclipsed the all-class Big 12 record of 23 held by Kevin Durant (2006) and Nick Collison (2003).

On Sunday, Beasley became just the second player in school history to tally 30 points in back-to-back games in a win over Pittsburg State.  He tallied 30 points on 12-of-19 shooting with 14 rebounds, three assists and one steal in 29 minutes.  He is the first player to top 30 points in consecutive games since Norris Coleman did in three straight contests in February 1986.

The Wildcats (2-0) return to action on Saturday, Nov. 17 when the squad welcomes Western Illinois to Bramlage Coliseum for a 6 p.m. tip.