DeRozan, Hayward named NBA Players of the Week
DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors (East) and Gordon Hayward of the Utah Jazz (West) have been named NBA Players of the Week for games played between Jan. 9 and Jan. 15, the league announced Monday.
This is the third time this season DeRozan has won Player of the Week honors (Nov. 7-13, Dec. 12-18), making him the first player in franchise history to accomplish that feat. Vince Carter, Chris Bosh, and Kyle Lowry never won more than two.
Toronto went 3-0 this past week, with all of its victories coming against teams in the Atlantic Division. DeRozan averaged 30.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 51.5 percent from the field and knocking down 21-of-24 at the charity stripe.
Utah mirrored the Raptors' perfect record, picking up quality wins against the Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons, and reigning NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers. Hayward is the 15th player in Jazz history to win the award, and the second this season (George Hill, Nov. 7-13).
The 26-year-old was red-hot shooting the rock over his three appearances, converting 73.5 percent of his attempts for 23.7 points, and adding six rebounds, four dimes, and 1.7 steals per game.
Other nominees were Isaiah Thomas (Boston Celtics), DeAndre Jordan and Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers), Hassan Whiteside (Miami Heat), Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers), Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), and Jonas Valanciunas (Raptors).