Vote in The News & Observer college athlete of the week poll (01.09.21)
Duke forward Paolo Banchero closed out the year as The News & Observer college athlete of the week.
Scoring 17 of his points after halftime in the Blue Devils’ 76-65 comeback win over Virginia Tech, the freshman finished the game with a team-leading 23 points and a team-best seven rebounds. That was on Dec. 22, Duke’s final game before entering COVID protocols.
With COVID issues giving the Blue Devils the week off, athletes from other Triangle teams were in the spotlight from Monday, Dec. 27 through Sunday, Jan. 2.
Here are the nominees for The News & Observer’s college athlete of the week.
Readers can vote as often as they want until Sunday at noon when poll closes.
Caleb Love, North Carolina men’s basketball
Love had a team-high 22 points in the Tar Heels’ 91-65 win at Boston College Sunday. The sophomore guard knocked down 4 of 6 shots from beyond the arc and shot 63.6% from the field. His 22 points marked the fifth time he reached his season high in scoring.
Deja Kelly, North Carolina women’s basketball
Kelly scored a career-high 31 points, including a career-best five 3-pointers, to lead the Tar Heels to a 81-62 win over Clemson Sunday. Behind the sophomore guard’s career night UNC improved to 13-0 overall and 3-0 in the ACC. Her 18 points at the half were the most in a half by a Tar Heel this season. Kelly added four assists, two steals and a block to her career scoring output.
Elizabeth Balogun, Duke women’s basketball
Balogun scored a season-high 27 points on 11-of-16 shooting (68.7%) in the Blue Devils’ 72-70 win over No. 17 Notre Dame Sunday. The senior wing scored Duke’s final six points of the game, giving the Blue Devils the late lead in the down-to-the-wire thriller.
Terquavion Smith, N.C. State men’s basketball
Smith finished with 23 points, making 7 of 13 from 3-point range, in the Wolfpack’s down-to-the-wire loss to Florida State, 83-31, on New Year’s Day. The freshman guard’s seven made 3-pointers were the most by an NC State player since Allerik Freeman made seven in the Pack’s win at UNC on Jan. 27, 2018. Smith also added five rebounds and three assists in the losing effort.
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