More Awards For NC State Guard Aziaha James

INDIANAPOLIS – Aziaha James of the No. 10 NC State women’s basketball team picked up her third weekly honor after her performance last week, this time the Ann Meyers Drysdale National Player of the Week by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association, as announced on Tuesday. James is one of five honorees. This marks James’ second time this season and in her career receiving this honor.

James also was named the runner-up for the Associated Press National Player of the Week, which was given to Texas’ Madison Booker. This week, James was tabbed the ACC Player of the Week and the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy National Player of the Week on Monday.

The Virginia Beach, Virginia native was huge in the Pack’s two wins over top 25 opponents this past week, averaging 29.0 points per game on 64.9 percent shooting, 5.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game. Her 29.0 points per game was the sixth most scored by an NCAA DI player this week, second most among Power 4 players.

James scored a career-high 36 points on just 19 shots (15-of-19 from the field) against No. 10/10 Duke, and scored 27 of those points in the second half. She added six rebounds, one block and steal. Her 36 points was the most for an NC State player since 1998 (Chasity Melvin vs. Louisiana Tech) and the fifth most scored in a game by an ACC player this season. Those 36 points also equaled or were more to points scored by a team in four ACC games this season.

The senior had 22 points off 9-of-18 shooting from the field at No. 22/22 Florida State. James added five rebounds, two assists and three steals against the Seminoles.

This season, James is averaging 18.0 points per game behind 46.8 percent shooting (159-of-340) and 32.9 percent (47-of-143) from 3-point with 4.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. She has 11 20-point games this season and her scoring average is the fifth best in the ACC. James is No. 20 on the all-time scoring list at NC State with 1,375 career points.

The USBWA was formed in 1956, and has over 900 members worldwide, as it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. The USBWA has selected a women’s All-America team since the 1996-97 season.

This year, James honors include:

• USBWA National Player of the Week (2/11)
• Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Player of the Week (2/10)
• ACC Player of the Week (2/10)
• Women’s College All-Star Game Watch List (2/4)
• USBWA Ann Meyers Drysdale Player of the Year Midseason Top 50 Watch List (2/3)
• USBWA National Player of the Week (1/21)
• Wooden Award Top 25 Midseason Watch List (1/7)
• Wooden Award Top 50 Preseason Watch List (11/7)
• Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Women’s College Player of the Year Preseason Watch List (10/28)
• ACC Preseason Team (10/15)

The Pack will play Miami on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. at Reynolds Coliseum. The game will be broadcast on ACC Network.

USBWA Weekly Honorees (week ending Feb. 9)
Players of the Week

Anna Gret Asi, Oklahoma State

Raiana Brown, Fairfield

Kiki Iriafen, USC

Aziaha James, NC State

Laura Ziegler, Saint Joesph’s

Freshman of the Week

Toby Fournier, Duke

Team of the Week

Texas