Penn State guard Jalen Pickett notches first B1G Player of Week honors
Penn State guard Jalen Pickett just missed out on a triple-double of the season in a 77-68 win over Quinnipiac last Thursday. With 21 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists, the Nittany Lion finished just shy of the notable threshold for the second time this year.
Pickett didn’t miss out on his first weekly honor from the Big Ten, though, thanks to the effort.
Announced by the Big Ten on Tuesday afternoon, the senior point guard was named the conference Player of the Week. It’s his first Big Ten Player of the Week honor since transferring to Penn State ahead of the 2021-22 season.
Pickett is Penn State’s first conference honoree since Lamar Stevens earned the distinction in February 2020.
Penn State guard Jalen Pickett’s big season
Pickett’s latest big game is just one of many he’s produced throughout the season.
Starting all 12 games for the Nittany Lions, he’s averaging 16.6 points per game to lead Penn State. His 7.7 rebounds and 7.7 assists are also tops on the team and among the leaders throughout the Big Ten.
And, according to Penn State head coach Micah Shrewsberry, it’s part of an effort that is worthy of the attention starting to befall Pickett. Particularly impressive in an upset win at Illinois earlier this month, Shrewsberry went so far as to put Pickett’s place in the conference in perspective.
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“I’m glad I got him. I’m glad he’s on my team,” Shrewsberry said. “I’m biased because I’ve had him for two years. But, I think he’s the best guard in the Big Ten.
“Every single night, no matter who we play against, just look at his numbers. He’s filling it up in every category. The thing that doesn’t get noticed is, Seth Lundy usually guards the best perimeter guy and Jalen Pickett guards their next best player. Jalen Pickett is guarding, we’re going to him every possession. Then he’s got a guard on the other end and he never gets a break. That’s a warrior right there. I’m glad he’s on my side.”
Penn State returns to action Thursday when it hosts Delaware State at the Bryce Jordan Center (2 p.m., BTN+).
