Jan. 23, 2017
By Jeff Shearer
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn center Austin Wiley earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors after leading the Tigers to a pair of conference wins at Auburn Arena.
Wiley averaged 14.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.0 block in 22.5 minutes in Auburn's victories over LSU and Alabama in only the ninth and 10th college games of his career.
Wiley totaled career-highs of 19 points and nine rebounds along with 25 minutes to lead Auburn to an 84-64 victory over Alabama. Wiley scored 15 of his 19 points and seven of his nine rebounds in the second half as the Tigers broke away from a 30-30 tie at halftime.
"I grew up in the rivalry and it was a hyped game," Wiley said Saturday. "I just wanted to continue the legacy and just beat Alabama."
Wiley, who turned 18 two weeks ago, said he does not dwell on his youth because he doesn't want to limit himself.
"I just do whatever I need to do for my team to win," said Wiley, who graduated high school early and joined Auburn's program in December nine games into the season.
Wiley totaled 10 points, six rebounds and two blocks in Auburn's 78-74 win over LSU last Wednesday. For the season, he is averaging 8.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in only 16.7 minutes per game while shooting 55.8 percent from the field.
"It means a lot just to get this program back and going. Get a lot of energy in the building and give Auburn fans something to cheer about," said Wiley, whose mother, Vickie Orr, and father, Aubrey Wiley, were both elite players at Auburn.
After winning three of its past four SEC games, Auburn plays at No. 23 South Carolina Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. on the SEC Network.
"I grew up in the rivalry." @SEC Freshman of the Week @__Austinwiley50 after @AuburnMBB W vs UA. Career highs: 19 pts, 9 reb, 25 mins. pic.twitter.com/VkLbSTl09j
- Jeff Shearer (@jeff_shearer) January 23, 2017
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @jeff_shearer