Nov. 30, 2009
PARK RIDGE, Ill. -- Illinois senior Jenna Smith has been named the Big Ten Player of the Week after leading Illinois to three victories last week, the conference office announced today.
Smith, a Wooden and Naismith Award candidate, led Illinois to the San Luis Obispo Holiday Beach Classic title with 28 points and 17 rebounds against Alabama on Sunday. She had 18 points and 13 rebounds in the second half alone as the Illini overcame a 15-point second half deficit for the win. Smith also had a double-double on Saturday against Cal Poly with 14 points, 13 rebounds and a career-high six blocks in an Illinois victory. She began the week with 19 points, nine boards, four assists and two blocks in a road win at Illinois State on Tuesday.
For the week, Smith averaged 20.3 points, 13.0 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game while leading the Illini to three victories. She has six double-doubles in seven games this season to move into a tie for second on the UI career double-doubles list with 38. She also went past the 900-career rebound mark over the weekend and moved into third on the UI career list in the category. Her school-record streak of consecutive games scoring in double-figures is now at 46, the third-longest active streak in the nation.
It is the fourth career weekly honor for Smith and the first for an Illini since Lacey Simpson was named Big Ten Player of the Week on Feb. 10, 2009.
Smith, Simpson Named All-Tourney
Smith was named the Most Valuable Player and Simpson to the All-Tournament Team following the conclusion the San Luis Obispo Holiday Beach Classic on Sunday night.
The senior duo led the Fighting Illini to the tournament crown with a pair of come-from-behind victories over Cal Poly and Alabama. Smith averaged 21.0 points, 15.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game during the tournament, while Simpson scored 15 second-half points in the win over Cal Poly on Saturday and averaged 9.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 blocks in the two games.
It marks the second holiday tournament MVP honor for Smith, who was named the Most Valuable Player at the FIU Thanksgiving Classic in 2007.
2009 Holiday Beach Classic All-Tournament Team
Jenna Smith, Illinois (MVP)
Lacey Simpson, Illinois
Rachel Clancy, Cal Poly
Varisia Raffington, Alabama
Katie Williams, Cal State Bakersfield
Up Next
The Fighting Illini (6-1) now head out to Winston-Salem, N.C. to face Wake Forest in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge on Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. ET / 6 CT. The Illini will be gunning for their seventh consecutive win. Illinois' next home game is on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. against Marquette.
