Nov. 27, 2006

Dallas, Texas - Following a 12-point, nine-assist, seven-steal effort on Saturday (Nov. 25) vs. Stephen F. Austin, University of Missouri junior guard Stefhon Hannah (Chicago, Ill. / Hyde Park HS / Chipola CC) was named the Big 12 Conference's Co-Rookie of the Week by the league office on Monday.

Ironically, Hannah shared the Rookie of the Week award with his former junior college teammate, Iowa State's Mike Taylor. Taylor scored 22 points and dished seven assists against Lake Superior State last week.

A 6-foot, 175-pound junior from Chicago, Ill., Hannah has made an instant impact for the Tigers and leads the Big 12 Conference and ranks No. 6 nationally with 3.83 steals per game. The lead guard in Head Coach Mike Anderson's "Run and Execute" system, Hannah is the only Big 12 Conference guard to record nine assists in two separate games this season and his seven steals vs. Stephen F. Austin are the most in the conference this year and No. 2 all-time at Missouri.

The team-leader in scoring (13.5), steals (23) and minutes played (30.7), Hannah has also been one of the conference's top shooters and ranks No. 11 with 1.83 three-pointers per game and would rank No. 7 in three-point field goal percentage (44.0) with enough attempts.

Hannah is the first Tiger to win Big 12 Conference Rookie of the Week accolades in three seasons. The last Tiger newcomer to win the award was Linas Kleiza in 2003-04. Kleiza claimed the honor twice that season, on Dec. 8, 2003, and Jan. 19, 2004.

Overall, Missouri has now won the Big 12's Rookie of the Week award on 12 occasions and Hannah is the eighth Tiger individual to do so. Kleiza (2003-04), Ricky Clemons (2002-03) Kareem Rush (1999-2000) and Keyon Dooling (1998-99) won the award multiple times, while Tajudeen Soyoye (1999-2000), Tate Decker (1996-97) and Jeff Hafer (1996-97) won the award once.

Hannah and the 6-0 Tigers return to action on Monday (Nov. 27) against Coppin State. Tonight's contest is televised live on Mizzou Sports Network.

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