Grayson Named Louisiana Women's Basketball Player of The Week
Dec 12, 2011 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 12, 2011
NEW ORLEANS - Green Wave standout Olivia Grayson became the second member of the Tulane University women's basketball team to earn a weekly distinction on Monday as the junior guard was named Louisiana Player of the Week, based on a vote of the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.
The announcement came three and a half hours after fellow backcourt mate Jamie Kaplan claimed Conference USA Freshman of the Week as the duo helped the Green Wave post victories over North Texas and Southern over the weekend. The honor was the second weekly title of the season for Grayson, who was tabbed C-USA Player of the Week on Nov. 21, and the second LSWA honor of her career as she was named Louisiana Player of the Week on Nov. 30, 2010.
"This is a very well-deserved honor for Olivia," Tulane head women's basketball coach Lisa Stockton said. "We rely on her to do so many things for this team, especially with how young we are, and she has responded to that challenge all season. What she did on Sunday against Southern was really special. I truly believe that she is one of the best players in our league and she's proven to be one of the best players in the state since her freshman year."
A native of nearby Metairie, La., Grayson earned the title after averaging 18.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 1.0 assist per game during Tulane's 2-0 week. Along the way, she hit 39.3 percent of her shots from the field (11-of-28), 50.0 percent of her 3-pointers (4-of-8) and 84.6 percent of her free throws (11-of-13).
Grayson overcame foul trouble to score eight points, pull down eight rebounds and record one block and a steak in Friday's 55-47 win at North Texas. She followed that up by posting a career-high 29 points on 9-of-21 shooting - including a 4-of-7 performance from beyond the 3-point arc - and 7-of-9 free throws in Sunday's come-from-behind 66-59 win over Southern.
In that game, Grayson tied her career high with six steals and four treys while chipping in with a pair of assists and four rebounds. Twenty-three of her points and four of her thefts against the Jaguars came in the second half.
For the season, Grayson leads Tulane in points (134), points per game (13.4), assists (37), steals (28), field goals made (46), free throws made (33), minutes played (305) and minutes per game (30.5). She also sits second on the squad in free throw percentage (.767), third in 3-point baskets (9), rebounds (66) and rebounds per game (6.6), tied for third in blocks (4), and fourth in 3-point percentage (.290).
Grayson and the Green Wave will take a break for exam week and return to action on Thursday, Dec. 22, when Tulane travels to Cajun Country to take on Louisiana-Lafayette at 2 p.m. at Earl K. Long Gym. From there, the Wave will close out fall play on Dec. 28-29 when they host Central Michigan, College of Charleston and Hampton in the Tulane/DoubleTree Classic.
For tickets to those games and future Green Wave home events, contact the Tulane Athletics Ticket Office either in person, over the phone at 504-861-WAVE (9283) or via the Internet at www.TulaneGreenWave.com. The Ticket Office located on the first floor of the James W. Wilson, Jr. Center on Ben Weiner Drive, is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
