DALLAS – UTEP guard Jordan Lathon was named the Conference USA Freshman of the Week presented by Top of the World and chosen by a vote from a media panel representing the 14-member schools.
Lathon is the second consecutive Miner to earn the honor after producing all-around numbers during the Miners’ two contests last week. Efe Odigie was named the C-USA Freshman of the Week on Nov. 26.
The native of Grandview, Mo., displayed an all-around effort during the last two games for UTEP. Lathon averaged 12.0 points and 5.0 rebounds. He collected five steals, two blocks and four assists in the process.
In limited action (25 minutes) versus rival NM State, Lathon tallied eight points, an assist, block and led UTEP with three steals. He shot 3-for-5 from the field, including a three-pointer.
Lathon, in 31 minutes of action, broke out for a career-high 16 points on five field goals, including a pair of treys during a 77-47 stomping of Northwestern State. Lathon added nine rebounds to lead the Miners, along with recording three assists, two steals (one led to a fast-break dunk during an 8-0 run to open the game) and a blocked shot.
Lathon was locked in on defense as the Miners allowed a season-low 47 points.
Lathon is averaging over seven points per contest and 5.0 rebounds per game. He’s dished out 16 assists, is tied for the team lead with five blocked shots and has snagged six steals in seven starts to begin his UTEP career.
With Odigie and now Lathon earning freshman of the week honors, they are the first pair of UTEP freshmen to earn the award during a single season since the 2013-14 campaign when Vince Hunter (five times) and Matt Willms were named freshmen of the week.
It’s also the first back-to-back honors for UTEP freshmen since Julian Washburn (Dec. 19) and Cedrick Lang (Dec. 26) did so in 2011.
