Dec. 24, 2007

IRVING, Texas - University of Memphis' Derrick Rose has been named Conference USA Player of the Week for Dec. 17-23, the league office announced Monday. It is the first conference weekly honor for Rose this season.

Rose is the second Tiger this year to earn the league's weekly accolade, as junior Chris Douglas-Roberts was selected C-USA Player of the Week twice in November.

Last week, Rose helped lead No. 2/2 Memphis to a pair of victories over Cincinnati 79-69 and No. 5/4 Georgetown 85-71. He averaged 22.0 points and 6.0 assists in the two wins. Rose shot 44.4 percent from the floor, 50 percent from the arc and 76.5 percent from the free throw line in the two contests.

Against the Bearcats, the 6-foot-3 freshman guard scored a season-high 26 points, and also posted season bests for three-pointers made (5) and attempted (8). He also added four rebounds and six assists. Rose hit a three-pointer late in the game to help the Tigers maintain their lead.

He followed up the Cincinnati game with an 18-point, three-board and six-assist performance versus Georgetown. The Chicago, Ill., native had a key assist to Antonio Anderson to give Memphis a 69-56 lead in the second half. Rose also hit 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

For the season, Rose is averaging 15.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 10 starts. He is shooting 46.8 percent from the field, 36.7 percent from the three-point line and 73 percent from the charity stripe.

Earlier this year, Rose was named the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic/Memphis Regional MVP, and also picked up 2K Sports College Hoops Classic All-Tournament Team honors.

The No. 2/2 Tigers (10-0) return to action Saturday, Dec. 29 when they host No. 17/19 Arizona (9-2). The game, to be televised by ESPN2, is slated for a 9:00 p.m. (CT) start at FedExForum.