by OU Athletics Communications
NORMAN — Oklahoma freshman point guard Kelbie Washington (Choctaw) was named the Big 12’s Newcomer of the Week following her record-breaking week that led the Sooners to two wins.
Washington, a Norman native, set Oklahoma’s (12-1, 1-0 Big 12) freshman single-game assist record vs. Wichita State by dishing out 14 dimes. In that same performance vs. the Shockers, the guard became the first Division I freshman in at least a decade to tally 14 assists, 11 points, six rebounds and five steals in a game.
The freshman followed that outburst with 10 points and seven assists in her first career Big 12 game, helping guide OU to 97 points in its win over Texas Tech.
The accolade marks the first of her career for Washington, who came to Norman as a four-star prospect per ESPNW. She joins Taylor Robertson and Ana Llanusa as current Sooners to post at least one Big 12 Newcomer of the Week honor in their career.
Washington ranks sixth nationally in assists per game among freshmen, dishing out 4.6 per game. The guard is the only freshman in the country to average at least 7.5 points, 4.6 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game.
Washington and the Sooners are winners of nine straight, the program’s longest streak since the 2008-09 Final Four team won 20 consecutive and debuted at No. 23 in this week’s AP Poll as the Sooners are ranked for the first time since 2017-18.
