Menifield's SEC Honor Caps Off Best Week for Razorback Basketball

Washington transfer's career-high in just third game leads to Player of the Week Honors

Author:
Daniel Shi
Publish date:
Jan 1, 2024 3:46 PM EST

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — After setting a new career-high with 32 points in a 106-90 win over UNC-Wilmington, Arkansas guard Keyon Menifield has been named SEC Player of the Week.

Initally cleared on Dec. 15 via NCAA waiver, Menifield has been a sparkplug for coach Eric Musselman, averaging 15 points and three assists in 27 minutes in three games.

Menifield featured all the facets of his game in the game against UNC-Wilmington, going 8-for-14 from the field including a trip of 3-pointers. He also shot a team-high 17 free throws. The 32 points eclipsed a previous career high of 27 set at Washington last year against Oregon.

The Flint, Michigan native has been a much-needed boost for a Razorbacks team that had been off to its worst start through 10 games in the Musselman era prior to Menifield becoming eligible.

"He is so quick with the ball," Musselman said after the game. "He's got great basketball IQ. He sees plays before they happen. He just naturally sees plays develop. We felt that way when we recruited him. I was kind of amazed as a freshman how he could read the second and third line of the defense. He's really good in transition too. He does make us a much different team that plays with a much different pace.”

The Razorbacks face Auburn to begin conference play inside Bud Walton Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Jan. 6. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2 and fuboTV .