KU, K-State basketball players share top Big 12 weekly award after Sunflower Showdown
Only the Kansas men’s basketball team celebrated when the Jayhawks rallied from a 17-point deficit to defeat rival Kansas State 78-75 on Saturday at Bramlage Coliseum.
But players on both teams were winners on Monday.
KU guard Ochai Ogbaji and K-State guard Nijel Pack shared Big 12 player of the week honors after they both made impressive shots and scored at a dizzying pace against each other in their Sunflower Showdown matchup.
Each player was deserving of the conference’s top weekly award.
Ogbaji had 29 points and seven rebounds for the Jayhawks. His biggest play of the afternoon came in the final seconds when he made a floater on the baseline to give his team a 76-75 lead after trailing most the game. KU scored the final nine points and won despite trailing 53-36 early in the second half.
Pack also played at a high level for the Wildcats. The sophomore guard had his best game in a K-State uniform and finished with 35 points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists. He drained shots from all over the court, including eight from three-point range.
KU coach Bill Self tried a variety of defenses in an attempt to slow him down.
“Nijel Pack played like a first-team All-American,” Self said. “He may have been the best guard in America today.”
This story was originally published January 24, 2022 at 12:56 PM.