JaKarr Sampson named Big East Rookie of the Week for second time

If you didn't know already, JaKarr's a star.

St. John's freshman forward JaKarr Sampson has been named Big East Rookie of the Week after stellar individual performances against San Francisco (recap) and Fordham (recap).

It is Sampson's second time receiving the honor, as he was also recognized as the league's best freshman two weeks ago.

Sampson averaged 19 points and 6.5 rebounds in the Johnnies' two games last week, including a career-high 22 points out west against the Dons and his second double-double performance on Saturday at the Garden.

As he did in the season opener against Detroit, Sampson seemed visibly jittery in the first few minutes of his Madison Square Garden debut. But in the second half, he got comfortable and scored in double figures for the eighth consecutive game.

"It was amazing. I'm happy we had a walk through earlier because when you step on that court, it's blinding," Sampson reflected on his MSG debut. "The lights, the stage, and all of the history on the court - it's big time."

As the Big East (and the rest of college basketball) is learning quickly, Sampson's game is big time. At 13.8 points per game, he is 20th-best scorer in the Big East.

Sampson will hit the floor again for the Johnnies when the Storm takes on St. Francis (NY) at the Barclays Center's Brooklyn Hoops Holiday Invitational on Saturday.

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