Nov. 26, 2001
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Notre Dame senior forward Ryan Humphrey (Tulsa, Okla.) was named the Co-BIG EAST Player of the Week after helping the Irish to the Hawaii Pacific Thanksgiving Classic title over the weekend. Humphrey was named the tournament MVP after averaging 24.0 points and 6.3 rebounds, while shooting 73.7 percent from the field in Notre Dame’s three wins.
Humphrey, playing in his first game of the season, registered a career-high 31 points and 10 rebounds in Friday’s 98-58 win over the tournament host. He had 20 points, including 16 in the second half, in Notre Dame’s 97-84 victory over Tennessee-Chattanooga on Saturday and led the team with 21 points as the Irish captured the tournament title on Sunday with an 85-48 defeat of Monmouth.
The Irish tri-captain shares the honor with junior guard DeShaun Williams of Syracuse, who was named the tournament MVP in leading the Orangemen to the title of the Preseason National Invitation Tournament.
Humphrey, a preseason second-team all-BIG EAST selection, becomes the fourth Irish player to win the league player of the week honor since Notre Dame joined the conference in 1995-96. Past Irish winners of the award are Pat Garrity (twice), Keith Friel (once) and Troy Murphy (11 times).
Freshman point guard Chris Thomas (Indianapolis, Ind.) was named the conference rookie of the week in the opening week of the season, making 2001-02 the first time that two Irish players have combined to capture the two BIG EAST weekly awards in the same season.
Humphrey and the Irish are 5-0 in 2001-02 and will take on Army at the Joyce Center Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.