Gafford joins elite company with second SEC honor

FAYETTEVILLE — After averaging a double-double last week against Florida and Ole Miss, freshman forward Daniel Gafford earned his second career SEC Freshman of the Week honor from the league office Monday.

Gafford joins NBA players Bobby Portis and Patrick Beverley as the only Razorbacks to earn the honor multiple times and is one of three players in the league to claim it twice this year.

Gafford recorded his first career double-double last Wednesday at Florida, scoring 14 points and adding 11 rebounds, including a career-high five offensive boards. The 6-11 big man followed that with one of his most complete performances of the year with 15 points, nine rebounds, three blocks and a career-high three steals in a home victory against Ole Miss. Last week, he averaged 14.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.5 steals per game.

Gafford is shooting 62.5 percent from the field this season, ranking fifth among all freshmen in the country, second overall in the SEC and 31st overall in the nation. He leads the SEC in field goal percentage in conference games, shooting 58.5 percent (38-65).

Averaging 13.1 points and 6.9 rebounds against SEC teams, Gafford has scored 14-plus points in five of his first seven career SEC games. The El Dorado, Arkansas, native is responsible for 42 of Arkansas’ 76 dunks and has recorded as many dunks as six SEC teams.

Arkansas travels to Athens, Georgia, Tuesday for a 5:30 p.m. CT matchup with the Bulldogs on the SEC Network.