CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – Pitt senior forward Liatu King has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, while Syracuse forward Alyssa Latham earned Rookie of the Week honors. It is the first career weekly award for both players.
ACC women’s basketball weekly awards are voted on by the league’s Blue Ribbon Panel.
King averaged 24.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 2.5 assists all while shooting 19-for-29 (65.6 percent) from the field, as she led Pitt to a pair of non-conference victories over Saint Francis and Binghamton. The Washington, D.C., native, opened her week with a game-high 23 points with six boards, three assists and three steals to pace the Panthers to an 87-62 win over Saint Francis. On Sunday, the senior tallied 27 points and 10 rebounds to record her nation-best sixth double-double in the win over Binghamton. King became the first Pitt player to post 21 points or more in five straight games and is one of only three players this season to have five games of 21 points or more (Caitlin Clark of Iowa and Hannah Hidalgo of Notre Dame).
Latham recorded her third double-double of the season in Syracuse’s 79-73 win over Alabama on Thursday. The Glenwood, Illinois, native posted a career-high 23 points on 9-for-10 (90.0 percent) from the field with 12 rebounds, as her night was highlighted by a late traditional three-point play that eventually sealed the key non-conference win over the Crimson Tide. The freshman, who played all 40 minutes, also tallied five blocks on the defensive end and finished 4-for-5 from the free throw line. Latham’s three double-doubles this season lead all ACC freshmen.
Six teams are ranked in the latest Associated Press (AP) Women’s Basketball Poll, which is tied for the most among all conferences. NC State climbed two spots to No. 3, while Notre Dame and Virginia Tech are No. 14 and No. 15, respectively. Louisville jumped up four positions to No. 18, Florida State is No. 20 and North Carolina is No. 24.
Conference play officially opens up on Thursday, December 7, when Duke heads to Clemson for a 7 p.m. tipoff on ACC Network. In addition to the conference tilt, 21 non-conference games are scheduled for this week, including Florida State and North Carolina in Sunday’s Hall of Fame Showcase in Uncasville, Connecticut. The Seminoles will take on UCLA at noon on ESPN2, while the Tar Heels will face UConn at 5 p.m. on ESPN.
2023-24 ACC Player of the Week Honors
Nov. 13 – Saniya Rivers, NC State
Nov. 20 – Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame
Nov. 27 – Elizabeth Kitley, Virginia Tech
Dec. 4 – Liatu King, Pitt
2023-24 ACC Rookie of the Week Honors
Nov. 13 – Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame
Nov. 20 – Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame
Nov. 27 – Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame
Dec. 4 – Alyssa Latham, Syracuse