Owen Freeman

IOWA CITY — University of Iowa forward Owen Freeman has been named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the eighth time this season, it was announced Monday by the league office. The eight accolades are the second-most in Big Ten history.

The eight honors trail only Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger, who had 12 Big Ten Freshman of the Week awards during the 2010-11 season.

Freeman earned the distinction after averaging 13 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals last week in games against Penn State and Minnesota. He shot 65 percent from the field, making 11-of-17 field goals in the two games.

In Sunday’s 20-point come-from-behind victory over Minnesota, Freeman tallied his fourth double-double of the season, finishing with 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting and a career-high 14 rebounds. He also had a career-best four assists and four blocks, moving him into second place on Iowa’s freshman blocks list with 41.

The four double-doubles are the most by a freshman in the Big Ten and match Luka Garza for the most by a Hawkeye freshman since 2017-18.

Freeman leads Big Ten freshmen in rebounds (151), blocks (41) and steals (26), while ranking second in points (261) and field goal percentage (.643).