Here are ESPN.com's past players of the week in 2002-03:
Week 16: Feb. 24-March 2
Ruben Douglas, G, New Mexico
We haven't given Mr. Douglas nearly the due he deserves this season, partly because he has been scoring in bunches on a bad, bad team. But Douglas did something last Saturday that few could have imagined -- he beat Utah practically by himself. Douglas (28.9 ppg), the leading scorer in the country, was a remarkable 26 of 31 from the free-throw line while Utah was 7 of 7. Douglas scored 39 points in the stunning 76-69 victory Saturday at the Pit. New Mexico has had few high notes this season, but Douglas has been worth the price of admission at the Pit. He's a scoring machine and this time he actually led his team to a big-time win, rather than just putting up numbers.
Week 15: Feb. 17-23
Edward Scott, G, Clemson
The most unheralded senior guard in the country was sensational in two games last week for the Tigers. Scott scored 32 points in a stunning victory over Virginia in the middle of the week. He followed that up with 29 in a victory over Florida State over the weekend. Scott's production has led the Tigers to a 15-8 record and a chance at finishing 7-9 in the ACC, which could save Larry Shyatt's job as head coach. Scott should be a first-team all-ACC player, even though he doesn't play on a high-profile team.
Week 14: Feb. 10-16
Ron Slay F, Tennessee
The senior forward should create some space on his mantel for the SEC player of the year and comeback player of the year awards. Slay, who sat out most of last season with an ACL injury, scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a win over Georgia on Saturday. Slay led the Vols with 23 points in a win at Arkansas earlier in the week. The folks at Tennessee predicted he would lead the SEC in scoring prior to the season. He's doing just that at 21.8 points a game. Slay has simply put the Vols on his back and all but into the NCAA Tournament, where they'll be a tough out in the first round.
Week 13: Feb. 3-9
David West F, Xavier
How could we pick anyone else? West was absolutely sensational last week. He scored a career-high 47 points -- the greatest single performance in Atlantic 10 history -- in a critical 85-77 West Division showdown victory over Dayton. West also grabbed 18 boards. He made 15 of 26 shots, one 3-pointer and was 16 of 19 from the free-throw line. West began the week with 13 points and 13 boards in a win over George Washington. West, who is averaging 20 points and 12 boards a game, has moved himself back into serious consideration for national player of the year honors.
Week 12: Jan. 27-Feb. 2
Nick Collison F, Kansas
Collison's performance against Texas was one of the best single-game efforts of the season. Collison scored 24 points and grabbed 23 rebounds in the thrilling victory. He followed that up with 14 points and nine boards in the win at Nebraska. Collison re-asserted himself as the leader of the Jayhawks and made a strong case for his inclusion as one of the five player of the year candidates in April.
Week 11: Jan. 20-26
Tony Allen G, Oklahoma State
The junior college transfer has been one of the key contributors during the Cowboys' sensational start. Allen scored 17 points in the overtime win at Baylor last week. He then scored eight of Oklahoma State's final 12 points in an impressive 79-70 victory at Texas Tech on Sunday. Allen also had a critical steal during that final stretch. Allen has averaged 17.4 points in the last 10 games. Few teams will earn as difficult a pair of road wins as Oklahoma State did this past week. Winning at Baylor and Texas Tech showed Oklahoma State is a serious contender for not only the Big 12 title, but also a deep run in March.
Week 10: Jan. 13-19
Josh Howard F, Wake Forest
Howard has been flying under the radar too long. We have been resoundingly criticized for not pumping Howard up enough this season. Well, we're sorry if he didn't get his deserved respect. This week, however, he's the overwhelming choice for our player of the week. Howard was sensational in scoring 30 points against Georgia Tech, adding six rebounds, five blocks, three assists, a steal and committing zero turnovers Sunday night. This off a 23-point, eight-rebound performance in a midweek victory over Maryland. Wake Forest was crushed by Duke (Jan. 12), but didn't fold in two critical home games last week. The reason was the hard work, production and determination by their senior forward.
Week 9: Jan. 6-12
Brian Cook F, Illinois
The senior forward is a changed man this season. He has become a true leader for the Illini and is scoring at will for them. Forget the hype about the freshmen because without Cook's presence the Illini would be an average Big Ten team. Cook scored 25 points and grabbed 11 boards in a road win at Minnesota earlier in the week. He then lit up Wisconsin for 31 points in just 26 minutes in a six-point win Saturday. Cook made 12 of 19 shots and led the Illini to a convincing 2-0 Big Ten start.
Week 8: Dec. 30-Jan. 5
Jameer Nelson G, Saint Joseph's
The junior point guard was sensational in a win at Gonzaga and then was dominant again in a win Sunday over Duquesne. Nelson scored 34 points in an overtime victory over the Bulldogs in Spokane. He lit up Duquesne for 22 points at Hawk Hill Sunday. Nelson is as important to the Hawks as any one player is to his team this season. He is the reason the Hawks are 9-1, 1-0 in the Atlantic 10. If Nelson stays on the court then the Hawks have a chance to win the game. Saint Joseph's is looking more and more like an NCAA team after a disappointing NIT appearance last season.
Week 7: Dec. 23-29
Antonio Gates
, F, Kent State
We're hoping everyone forgets about all the MAC preseason predictions. The love for Ohio and Brandon Hunter was premature. We, and everyone else, should have stuck with a good thing -- Gates and Kent State. Gates was sensational in scoring 32 points and grabbing nine rebounds in the 86-83 overtime win over Boston College on Saturday night in Cleveland. The Golden Flashes needed a breakout win like BC to prove to everyone in the MAC that they are still the team to beat. Kent State (7-1) has only one blemish, so far, at St. Bonaventure. Gates is averaging a team-high 21.9 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists for the Golden Flashes. Gates can score from anywhere on the floor and is making himself into a potential pro through his diligence and attention to detail. Look for Gates to win the player of the year award in the MAC and Kent State to assume the favorite status once again.
Week 6: Dec. 16-22
Marvin Stone
, F, Louisville
Austin was sensational Saturday. He scored 28 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a 32-minute season debut. He was held out of the first six games during an NCAA/Mississippi State investigation into his 9th and 10th grade transcripts. The junior forward dominated Xavier at the Garden and immediately made himself a candidate for SEC player of the year, let alone the Wooden Award. Austin can lead the Bulldogs toward an SEC title and deep in the NCAAs. The most impressive part of Austin's game was his effort. He dove on the court for loose balls late in the game, even though it was essentially decided. Austin's body was in tremendous shape. His touch around the basket was smooth. He rebounded. He blocked a shot. And he even made a 3-pointer. We can't wait for the Mississippi State-Alabama, Austin-Erwin Dudley matchups.
Week 5: Dec. 9-15
Mario Austin, F, Mississippi State
Austin was sensational Saturday. He scored 28 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a 32-minute season debut. He was held out of the first six games during an NCAA/Mississippi State investigation into his 9th and 10th grade transcripts. The junior forward dominated Xavier at the Garden and immediately made himself a candidate for SEC player of the year, let alone the Wooden Award. Austin can lead the Bulldogs toward an SEC title and deep in the NCAAs. The most impressive part of Austin's game was his effort. He dove on the court for loose balls late in the game, even though it was essentially decided. Austin's body was in tremendous shape. His touch around the basket was smooth. He rebounded. He blocked a shot. And he even made a 3-pointer. We can't wait for the Mississippi State-Alabama, Austin-Erwin Dudley matchups.
Week 4: Dec. 2-8
The Lukes:
Luke Jackson & Luke Ridnour, Oregon
They are inseparable at Oregon. Junior point guard Ridnour and junior big guard Jackson were sensational in the upset over Kansas, easily the Ducks biggest non-conference win in the past 10 years. Ridnour scored 25 points, dished out nine assists and picked off three steals. He was 4 of 8 on 3s, too. His wing mate, Jackson, scored 26 points and grabbed nine boards. Earlier in the week, Jackson scored 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds while Ridnour had 17 and four steals in a win over Portland. If Ridnour and Jackson can play with such proficiency throughout the season then they can lead Oregon deep in the Dance again. Any questions as to whether Oregon could repeat its run of a year ago were answered in the win over Kansas. Certainly the Ducks still have to go to Pepperdine and play Cincinnati in the Jimmy V Classic, but there is a good chance they could be undefeated heading into the Jan. 2 showdown against Arizona to open the Pac-10 -- a possible top-five matchup.
Week 3: Nov. 25-Dec. 1
Rashad McCants, G, North Carolina
The freshman guard was simply sensational throughout the week in New York. McCants took it right at Kansas with a power dunk early in the first half and finished with 25 points on 10 of 15 shots. McCants led the Tar Heels to the Preseason NIT title with 18 points on 7 of 11 shots in the championship win over Stanford. McCants picked up the hardware for MVP of the tournament. His no-nonsense game had some hot dog displays after a few plays, but it was not without cause. He is having the time of his life just ballin' and leading the Tar Heels back into the top 25.
Week 2: Nov. 18-24
Matt Walsh, G, Florida
Walsh wasn't even the headline recruit in the class. That was reserved for Anthony Roberson, Christian Drejer and to some extent, Mario Boggan. Yet, it's Walsh who has starred for the Gators, scoring 46 points in the first two Preseason NIT games and then 19 Sunday night. Walsh made 25 of his 35 shots in three games, 6 of 13 treys and also dished out 17 assists. Walsh even does those things that don't show up in the box score like diving for loose balls, and making his teammates better by creating shots for them because of the attention he now commands. Walsh's play last week symbolized the impact freshmen are having around the country two weeks into the season.
Week 1: Nov. 13-18
T.J. Ford, G, Texas
Ford was sensational in the season-opening win over Georgia on Friday night at Madison Square Garden. He was 10 of 19 for 22 points, eight assists and three steals in 35 minutes. Once again, when the game was on the line, Ford hit the money shot to win it for Texas. In a year loaded with phenomenal point guards, Ford starts out the season at the top of the list.
