Jan. 6, 2003

Columbia, Mo.-University of Missouri junior point guard Ricky Clemons was named the Phillips 66 Big 12 Rookie of the Week for the week of Dec. 30-Jan. 5, it was announced by the Big 12 Conference Office on Monday. This marks the second time he has received the award this season (Nov. 18-Nov. 25)

Clemons averaged a team-best 22.5 points and 7.0 assists per contest in the Tigers' two wins over Valparaiso and Iowa. He scored a career-high 27 points while handing out seven assists to lead the Tigers' last Saturday to their first win at Iowa since 1931. He also rang in 2003 with a career-best six 3 pointers including a 25-foot bank shot that extended the Tigers' lead to five with 1:20 left to play. Earlier in the week, Clemons scored 18 points and handed out seven more assists against Valparaiso.

Clemons currently ranks sixth in the Big 12 in scoring at 17.4 ppg and sixth in assists per game with a 5.2 average. He has reached double figures in points in eight of the Tigers' nine games and has topped the 20-point plateau in two contests so far this season. Clemons is also shooting a team-best 47% from behind the 3-point arc.

Clemons and Tigers, who are now 8-1 on the year, welcome the Gents of Centenary to the Hearnes Center for a 7 p.m. tip on Tuesday. On Saturday, Mizzou will open the Big 12 portion of the season when it welcomes Baylor for a 6 p.m. tilt. Tickets are still available for both games and may be purchased via the World Wide Web at www.mutigers.com or can be ordered by phone at 1-800-CAT PAWS or 884-PAWS in Columbia.

www.mutigers.com