BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – For the first time this season and the first time of his career, Auburn’s Tahaad Pettiford (Jersey City, N.J.) earned Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week honors on Monday.
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound rookie guard averaged 18.0 points, 3.0 steals, 2.5 assists and 2.0 rebounds per game in the Tigers’ back-to-back wins over Top 25 competition in No. 15 Mississippi State (W, 88-66) and at No. 23 Georgia (W, 70-68). Pettiford scored a career-and game-high 24 points on 7-of-13 field goals, 5-of-7 from long range and 5-of-8 from the foul line to go with three rebounds, two assists and two steals in the win at Georgia as well as 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting with three assists and career-best four steals against Mississippi State.
He has scored in double figures in 11 of his first 18 career games including seven of Auburn’s games against ranked opponents and all five SEC games. It marked his third 20-point game as he is shooting 12-of-25 from deep in SEC play. Pettiford is currently tied for third among Auburn freshmen all-time with three 20-point games.