ST. LOUIS -- Bradley sophomore center Patrick O'Bryant (Blaine, Minn./Blaine H.S.) today was named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week after shining in his first three games of the season. The 7-footer averaged 16.7 points, 13.0 rebounds and 3.3 blocked shots, leading the Braves to wins versus Northern Iowa and Creighton, sandwiched around an overtime loss at Wichita State.
In his 2005-06 season debut last Wednesday, O'Bryant helped the Braves to a 68-60 overtime victory versus Valley preseason favorite UNI by turning in a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds. He followed up with another double-double effort -- 14 points and a career-best 19 rebounds -- in the 69-67 overtime loss two nights later at Wichita State, then shared game-high scoring honors with 19 points in Monday's 86-69 win against Creighton at Carver Arena.
O'Bryant's 19 rebounds are Wichita State are the most by any player in the Valley this season and represents the seventh-best single-game rebounding effort in the country this year. His 9-for-11 (.818) shooting effort Monday against the Bluejays is the best single-game field goal percentage by any player with at least eight makes in the league this year.
O'Bryant becomes the second Bradley player to win the Valley Player-of-the-Week award this season. Senior guard Tony Bennett claimed the first honor of the season after helping the Braves to a 75-60 victory Nov. 19 at DePaul. Today's award is the third time O'Bryant has won a weekly award from the league during his career. Last season he was the Valley Newcomer of the Week Nov. 29 and Feb. 28.
Winners in five of their last six games, the Braves (8-3, 2-1) will try to carry their swell of momentum on the road this week for a pair of MVC games. Bradley will visit Drake (8-6, 1-2) Thursday night and will travel to Carbondale, Ill., for a Sunday afternoon clash at Southern Illinois (9-3, 2-0). Thursday's 7:05 p.m. contest will be televised locally by Peoria NBC affiliate WEEK. Sunday's 2:05 matchup versus the Salukis will be Bradley's first-ever appearance on ESPN's newest channel, ESPNU.
