Hadley named Pac-12 Player of the Week
Needing two more wins on the final weekend of the regular season to secure a top-four league finish and, more importantly, bolster the NCAA Tournament credentials, Colorado put together a clutch weekend in Oregon.
J’vonne Hadley was a big reason why.
On Monday, CU’S versatile 6-foot-6 guard was honored with the final men’s basketball Player of the Week award of the Pac-12 era, earning the nod following his big games at Oregon and Oregon State.
It is the first time three different CU players have won a player of the week award during the Pac12 era, as KJ Simpson and Tristan da Silva both earned the honor earlier this season. It is the second time overall it has happened in program history, with David Harrison, Stephane Pelle and Blair Wilson all winning player of the week honors in the 200203 Big 12 season.
“Obviously KJ has had a hell of a year. Everyone knows that. But you could make an argument that J’vonne Hadley is just as valuable to this team,” CU head coach Tad Boyle said. “They both have kind of been iron men for us. In terms of just consistent production game after game, day after day in practice, what J’vonne has done and what KJ has done, it just amazes me.”
Hadley sparked the key win at Oregon on Thursday by hitting a career-high four 3-pointers on four attempts, posting the third double-double of the season with 20 points and a career-high 12 rebounds. All three of those double-doubles occurred in an eightgame stretch.
Hadley went 6-for-6 on free throws during Saturday’s win at Oregon State, finishing 4-for-8 overall with 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists and no turnovers in 38-plus minutes.
In the two games combined, Hadley went 12-for-19 overall, 5-for-6 on 3-pointers, and 6-for-6 on free throws. In the past six games, Hadley has shot .625 overall (35-for-56) while going 7-for-11 on 3-pointers.
With his recent surge, Hadley has improved his season shooting marks to .568 overall, .500 on 3-pointers (18-for-36) and .836 at the free throw line.
“I still think there’s room for improvement,” Hadley said. “I’m never satisfied. I’m not satisfied with my player of the week. I’d say I’m never a happy guy during the season, I just want to look at what’s ahead. I’m always looking
for something to improve myself on.”
Injury optimism
For the first time since Cody Williams (ankle) and Julian Hammond III (knee) were sidelined by injuries three weeks ago, Boyle expressed some optimism on Monday regarding their potential availability for the Pac-12 tournament.
Boyle said Williams practiced on Monday, putting him on course for a possible comeback on Thursday night in CU’S Pac-12 tourney opener against the Wednesday winner between Utah and Arizona State. Williams has missed the past four games and has missed 13 games this season. Hammond has missed the past five games and has missed seven this season.
“Cody practiced for the first time (Monday), which was a blessing,” Boyle said. “We’ll take it a day at a time with him, and hopefully (Hammond) is not too far behind. I feel more optimistic about Cody because he practiced (Monday). I’ll feel more optimistic about Julian when he’s able to practice. I don’t know when that will be, but at least we got one back in the fold here.”
Notable
Oregon’s Jackson Shelstad was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week. Shelstad went 10-for-15 with 23 points and six assists against the Buffs before adding 12 points in an Oregon win against Utah. … The final all-conference honors of the Pac-12 era will be announced on Tuesday. … The men’s AP All-american teams are set to be announced on March 19. … Washington
State dropped four spots to No. 22 in this week’s AP Top 25, while Arizona dropped one spot to No. 6. The Buffs received two points in the poll, the first votes they’ve received since the Week 10 poll of Jan. 8.