Ataira Franklin Named ACC Rookie of the Week

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CHARLOTTESVILLE – Virginia freshman guard Ataira Franklin (Bowie, Md.) was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Week, the league announced Monday (Feb. 14). The Cavaliers are on a two-game win streak and return to action Sunday (Feb. 20) against Boston College at 1 p.m. at John Paul Jones Arena.

Franklin averaged 15.0 points and 7.0 rebounds in a 2-1 week for the Cavaliers, including challenges against two ranked opponents – 14th-ranked Florida State and 11th-ranked Maryland.

The newcomer started the week with 16 points against the visiting Seminoles on 6-of-9 shooting and followed that up with an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double in Virginia’s quadruple-overtime 94-92 win at NC State. Franklin also added three blocks in that contest.

She then scored in double-digits for the fifth-consecutive game while keying the 60-57 upset of Maryland on Sunday. Franklin netted 11 points and hauled down eight boards.

For the week, the rookie shot 17-of-32 from the field, which proves better than 53 percent, drained 4-of-10 treys and was 7-of-8 (88 percent) from the free throw line.

It is the first weekly honor of Franklin’s career and the first for a Cavalier this season.