Florida Gators Basketball: Chris Chiozza Named SEC Player Of The Week
Following the best stretch of games of his Florida Gators career, junior guard Chris Chiozza has received SEC Player of the Week honors.
The Florida Gators men’s basketball team has completed a run that could define the season. It ended a five-game losing streak to a championship-caliber foe and positioned itself to make a run at the SEC crown.
The most pleasant surprise of this dominant stretch was the emergence of junior point guard Chris Chiozza.
Chiozza was one of the most heralded recruits in the country when he arrived in Gainesville in 2014. He’s struggled to find his niche in the three seasons that have followed, but recently broke out with the best stretch of his career.
Behind the strength of his stellar performances, Chiozza earned the honor of being named the SEC Player of the Week.
Came off the bench to notch only the fourth triple-double in school history - and first since 2008. #SECMBB POTW: @Chiozza11 pic.twitter.com/nSESGKLu52
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) February 6, 2017
Chiozza joins KeVaughn Allen as Gators who have earned said honor during the 2016-17 season.
Chiozza began this past week by recording 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 93-54 decimation of the Missouri Tigers. It was Florida’s third consecutive win by at least 30 points and the best performance of Chiozza’s career.
Chiozza’s sensational play not only helped the Gators win, but placed him in rare company as Florida basketball players who have recorded a triple-double.
.@GatorsMBK Triple-Doubles in the last 20 seasons:
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) February 3, 2017
- @TheCoreyBrewer
- @Nick_Calathes15 (x2️⃣)
- @Chiozza11
Chomp! Chomp! pic.twitter.com/CL1sZZwXuH
That alone put Chiozza in the running for SEC Player of the Week honors.
The following game, Chiozza and the Gators went toe-to-toe with the No. 8 Kentucky Wildcats. Chiozza shot just 1-of-7 from the field, but nearly matched his production from the win over Missouri.
Chiozza finished with two points, nine rebounds, nine assists, and two steals in a shocking 88-66 domination of Kentucky.
Chiozza has recorded at least nine assists in three of his past four games, including the 10 he dished out in a 106-71 win over the LSU Tigers.
If this is a sign of things to come, then Chiozza could soon live up to the hype.
Must Read: What did the win over Kentucky do for Kasey Hill's legacy?
Congratulations on receiving this incredible honor, Chris Chiozza! You deserve it.