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IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa junior Megan Gustafson has been named Big Ten Player of the Week, the conference office announced Tuesday. The weekly award is the 14th of her career.
Gustafson has earned conference recognition in each of the first eight weeks of the season, including five Player of the Week awards. She is one away from tying Ohio State’s Jantel Lavender for the most Player of the Week awards in a single season (6, 2010-11). Gustafson is one of five Big Ten student-athletes to garner five Player of the Week awards in a single season. The list includes Lindsay Whalen (Minnesota, 2001-02), Kelly Mazzante (Penn State, 2002-03, 2003-04), Jessica Davenport (Ohio State, 2004-05, 2006-07), and Jantel Lavender (Ohio State, 2008-09).
Gustafson averaged 24.0 points, 13.5 rebounds, 3.5 blocks, and shot 61.9 percent from the field and 1.000 from the free throw line (22-for-22) to lead Iowa to a pair of wins against Wisconsin and No. 21/19 Michigan last week.
She netted 21 points and grabbed 16 boards to guide Iowa to a 56-46 win at Wisconsin on Dec. 28. Gustafson was a perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line in the contest. She registered 13 points and nine rebounds in the second half to secure the victory for the Hawkeyes.
On Dec. 31, Gustafson registered 27 points, 11 rebounds, and a career-high six blocks to lead Iowa to a win over No. 19/21 Michigan. Gustafson shot 88.9 percent (8-for-9) from the field and a perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line. She netted 21 of her 27 points in the second half to secure Iowa’s first win over a ranked opponent since March 6, 2015 (No. 25 Nebraska).
The Port Wing, Wisconsin, native has earned eight straight conference honors. She was named the Big Ten Player of the Week on Nov. 13, Dec. 4, Dec. 18, and Dec. 26, and was named to the Player of the Week Honor Roll on Nov. 20, Nov. 27, and Dec. 11.
Gustafson is currently ranked in the top-10 in the nation in eight categories. She leads the nation in double-doubles (14) and field goals made (133) and ranks second in field goal percentage (68.9), fourth in total points (337) and rebounds (187), seventh in points per game (22.5), eighth in rebounds per game (12.5), and ninth in defensive rebounds per game (8).
Gustafson and the No. 18 Hawkeyes travel to Maryland on Thursday, Jan. 4. Tipoff is slated for 5 p.m. (CT) in College Park, Maryland. The game will be televised on BTN.
