SAN BRUNO, Calif. – Gonzaga freshman Lauren Whittaker (Canterbury, New Zealand) was named both the West Coast Conference Freshman of the Week and Player of the Week on Monday following three standout performances this past week. Whittaker, a candidate for National Freshman of the Year honors, has won freshman of the week honors four times already this season. This is her first player of the week honor.   

Whittaker averaged 19.7 points and 12.7 rebounds per game to go along with five steals and three blocks in Gonzaga's three games this week. She posted a pair of double-doubles with 19 points and a career-best 16 rebounds in Friday's victory at Missouri State. On Sunday, Whittaker recorded 16 points and 13 rebounds in the road win against UC Riverside. The freshman came close to a third double-double on the week, finishing with 24 points and nine rebounds against Arizona State last Tuesday, as the Bulldogs nearly handed the Sun Devils their first loss of the season. 

The Gonzaga forward is second in the nation in scoring among freshmen with an average of 19.5 points per game. Her 9.3 rebounds per contest is seventh best among freshmen in the country. Whittaker's five double-doubles is tied for the most among freshmen nationally and is a Gonzaga record for a freshman.  

She has five 20-point games this season, highlighted by a 29-point performance against Colorado State last month. The 29 points is tied for the most by a West Coast Conference player this season (Santa Clara's Sophie Glancey scored 29 vs. Grand Canyon).  

Gonzaga has won five of its last six games, finishing non-conference play with an 8-5 mark. All 12 West Coast Conference programs will begin conference play on Sunday, Dec. 28.  

Also nominated for Player of the Week were Dyani Ananiev, Portland; Ella Brubaker, Seattle U; Meghan Fiso, Pepperdine; Kylee Fox, Santa Clara; Andjela Matic, LMU; Hallie Rhodes, San Diego; Abigail Shoff, Saint Mary's; Kennedie Shuler, Oregon State 

Also nominated for Freshman of the Week were Lara Alonso-Basurto, Oregon State; Julia Dalan, Portland, Seleh Harmon, Pepperdine, Olivia Owens, San Diego 

West Coast Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Week 
November 10: Allie Turner, Gonzaga 

November 17: Tiara Bolden, Oregon State  

November 24: Candy Edokpaigbe, San Francisco 

December 1: Candy Edokpaigbe, San Francisco 

December 8: Shorna Preston, Pepperdine 

December 15: Sophie Glancey, Santa Clara   

December 22: Lauren Whittaker, Gonzaga

West Coast Conference Women's Basketball Freshman of the Week 
November 10: Lauren Whittaker, Gonzaga 

November 17: Aina Cargol, San Francisco 

November 24: Lauren Whittaker, Gonzaga 

December 1: Lauren Whittaker, Gonzaga 

December 8: Ayla Williams, San Diego  

December 15: Julia Dalan, Portland   

December 22: Lauren Whittaker, Gonzaga