Boston College sophomore Jerome Robinson and North Carolina junior Justin Jackson have been recognized as the Atlantic Coast Conference Basketball Co-Players of the Week, while NC State’s Dennis Smith, Jr. earned the league’s Freshman of the Week honor.
The ACC weekly honors are the first of the season for all three players.
Robinson averaged 27.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.0 steals, 1.5 assists and 1.0 block in a pair of Boston College victories last week. He shot 19-for-28 (.500) from the field in the two games. Robinson recorded his first career double-double with 23 points and a career-high 11 rebounds in a win over Auburn last Monday night at Madison Square Garden. He also had three steals in the game. Robinson was 8-for-18 from the floor and 6-for-9 from the foul line. The Raleigh, North Carolina, product then poured in a career-high 32 points and added a career-high five steals in the Eagles’ win over Sacred Heart on Sunday. He was 11-for-20 from the field and 9-for-11 from the charity stripe against the Pioneers.
Robinson’s 32 points are the fifth-most in a game involving an ACC team this season, while his five steals are the second-most. He ranks second in the ACC in scoring (20.5) and third in steals (2.09). His seven games with 20 or more points this year are tied for most in the league.
North Carolina’s Jackson scored a career-high 34 points in a 103-100 loss to sixth-ranked Kentucky on Saturday. Jackson was 10-for-17 from the floor (his previous career high was nine field goals), 4-for-7 from 3-point range and 10-for-15 from the line. He added five rebounds and three assists without a turnover. Jackson’s 10 made free throws also were a career-high (previous high was seven versus Oklahoma State). It was UNC’s first 30-point game since Brice Johnson (39) and Marcus Paige (30) against Florida State last January 4. It was Jackson’s 10th career game with at least 20 points and his fifth in 12 games this year.
Jackson, whose previous career scoring high was 27 points twice earlier this season, had 20 points in the first halfon Saturday. The Tomball, Texas, native gave UNC the lead twice late in the game on a go-ahead 3-pointer and a driving layup.
NC State’s Smith averaged 19.5 points, 7.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals last week in two Wolfpack wins. On Thursday night, Smith scored a game-high 22 points on 5-for-8 field goal shooting and 11-for-12 shooting from the foul line to lead NC State to a 97-64 win over Appalachian State. He added a game-high six assists and had all three of the Wolfpack’s steals.
On Sunday, Smith scored 17 points, passed out a season-high nine assists, grabbed five rebounds and added two steals and a blocked shot in a 99-78 win over Fairfield. The Fayetteville, North Carolina, freshman was 6-for-10 from the field in the game, including 5-for-7 from 3-point range. The five 3-pointers made were a season-high. For the week, Smith was 11-for-18 (.611) from the field, including 6-for-9 (.667) from 3-point range.
ACC basketball weekly honors are determined by a vote of a 15-member media panel.
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