AP Player of the Week: RJ Davis helps No. 3 North Carolina increase win streak to 10 straight
North Carolina guard RJ Davis sets up to shoot against Wake Forest guard Hunter Sallis, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, in Chapel Hill, N.C. Credit: AP/Chris Seward
The Associated Press national player of the week in men’s basketball for Week 10 of the season:
RJ DAVIS, NORTH CAROLINA
The senior guard from White Plains, New York, had 23 of his career-high 36 points after halftime as the third-ranked Tar Heels rolled to a win over Wake Forest. It was the most points scored by a North Carolina player at the Dean Smith Center since February 2008. Davis followed that with 24 points against Florida State, including a tough shot in the lane with 44 seconds left in a two-point game to help the Tar Heels win their fifth straight ACC road game. The Tar Heels, who played at Georgia Tech on Tuesday night, were off to a 9-0 start in league play for the first time since the 2000-01 season.
RUNNER-UP
Tommy Bruner, Denver. The nation's leading scorer hit five 3-pointers and went 14 of 15 from the foul line on his way to 49 points with eight assists in a win over South Dakota last week. He scored 38 of the 49 points after halftime. It was the most points by a Division I men's player this season, and set a school record for the Pioneers in the modern era. Bruner followed up with 21 points and four assists in a loss to Omaha, and is averaging 26.1 points per game.
HONORABLE MENTION
Zach Edey, Purdue. Chance McMillian, Texas Tech. Vonterius Woolbright, Western Carolina.
North Carolina guard RJ Davis (4) makes a free throw against Florida State during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, in Tallahassee, Fla. North Carolina defeated Florida State 75-68. Credit: AP/Colin Hackley
KEEP AN EYE ON
Mikeal Brown-Jones, UNC Greensboro. The senior from Philadelphia is averaging 21.1 points after hitting four 3s and pouring in 39 in a win at Western Carolina, then adding 19 points with 16 rebounds in a loss to Mercer. He is shooting nearly 58% from the field and is 17 of 33 from beyond the 3-point arc, helping to put the Spartans in the thick of the Southern Conference race.
___
AP voters: Aaron Beard, Cliff Brunt, Gary B. Graves, Mike Marot, John Marshall, Dave Skretta, Eric Olson, Mark Long.
North Carolina guard RJ Davis (4) and the fans celebrate after he shot a three-pointer against Wake Forest during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, in Chapel Hill, N.C. Credit: AP/Chris Seward
___
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 basketball polls throughout the season. Sign up here.
