Gesell Named B1G Freshman of the Week

Dec. 17, 2012

PARK RIDGE, Ill. — University of Iowa guard Mike Gesell was named Big Ten Men’s Basketball Freshman of the Week. The announcement was made today by the Big Ten Conference office.

The honor is the first of Gesell’s career and the first for a Hawkeye since Aaron White earned the weekly accolade on Feb. 6, 2012.

Gesell (6-1, 185) posted personal bests in scoring (23), 3-pointers made (4), and free throws made (7) and attempted (9) in Iowa’s 80-73 victory over Northern Iowa on Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Gesell shot 66.7 percent from the floor (6-of-9), including 66.7 percent from 3-point range (4-of-6). He also added two rebounds and two assists in 28 minutes of action.

The freshman helped Iowa win its season-best fourth-straight game and improve to 9-2, its best start to a season since 2008-09.

Iowa returns to action Wednesday when it hosts South Carolina State. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:06 p.m. on Mediacom Court at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.