Pritchard Named Player of the Week for 3rd time this season

Payton Pritchard has been named the national player of the week for a third time this season (Getty Images)

Pritchard Named National Player of the Week for the Third Time This Season

EUGENE, ORE. – Senior Payton Pritchard has earned national player of the week honors for the third time this season.

Tuesday, the Naismith Trophy recognized Pritchard for his efforts in Oregon’s wins over No. 16 Colorado on Thursday (68-60) and Utah on Sunday (80-62).

Thursday against the Buffaloes, Pritchard scored 15 points with a career-high 11 rebounds for his fourth career double-double. He followed that up on Sunday with 25 points against the Utes, including five-of-nine from three point range.

Already the school’s record holder in assists (637), wins (101) and games started (135), Pritchard is also on pace to become the school’s career leader in steals and games played and could become just the second 2,000-point scorer in program history. This past week, Pritchard moved into fifth on the UO career scoring list with 1,810 points. He also entered the Pac-12’s top 10 in career assists.

Earlier this season, Pritchard was named the national player of the week by the Oscar Robertson Trophy for his performance in the Ducks’ Dec. 5 win at No. 5 Michigan (71-70, overtime) and by NCAA.com for his efforts following Oregon’s sweep of No. 24 Arizona (74-73, overtime) and Arizona State (68-62) in January.

Pritchard is one of 20 players nationally named to the Wooden Award Late Season Top 20 Watch List; he is one of 30 members of the Naismith Trophy Midseason Team; he is one of 12 players selected by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association for its 2019-20 Oscar Robertson Trophy Midseason Watch List; and he is one of 10 final candidates for the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award.

Statistically, Pritchard is one of four players nationally averaging at least 19 points, four rebounds and five assists per game.

Pritchard leads the nation with 135 consecutive starts. He is the only player in Pac-12 history with 1,800 career points, 600 career assists and 500 career rebounds.

No. 14 Oregon begins its final road trip of the season Thursday at Arizona State (6 p.m., ESPN).

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