STANFORD, Calif. – Senior Josh Sharma has been voted the Pac-12 Men's Basketball Player of the Week, the conference announced.
Sharma earned his first career conference honor following a career-high 23 points and a career-best 18 rebounds in Stanford's 93-86 victory over Long Beach State on Saturday night. He came off the bench, playing 28 minutes, finishing 10-of-15 from the field with three dunks. The senior center had 12 offensive rebounds in the contest, and now ranks sixth in the Pac-12 in offensive rebounding (2.3 orpg). He also ranks sixth in the conference in field goal percentage (.606) and eighth in blocks (1.1 bpg). Saturday's performance was Sharma's first career double-double.
The rebounding total was more than double his previous career-high of nine against Middle Tennessee State earlier this season. His point total was eight points better than his previous career-best total of 15 against Cal State Northridge during his sophomore season.
Sharma is one of only seven players in Division I to record at least 23 points and 18 rebounds in a game this season. He is the third Stanford player in the last 22 seasons to post at least 23 points and at least 18 rebounds in a game. Michael Humphrey recorded 26 points and 18 rebounds against Pacific on Nov. 12, 2017 and Curtis Borchardt registered 25 points and 21 rebounds against Arizona on Feb. 2, 2002.
His rebounding total is the most in a game by a Stanford player since Humphrey posted 20 rebounds at Oklahoma State last March. It is the second-most by a Pac-12 player this season.
The senior is averaging 9.7 ppg over his last seven games, after averaging 5.8 ppg in his first five contests of the season.
Sharma is the second Cardinal to earn Pac-12 Player of the Week honors this season, joining KZ Okpala (Nov. 12).
Stanford (7-5) opens Pac-12 play Thursday in Los Angeles against UCLA at 8 p.m. at Pauley Pavilion.
