Third time's a charm: Sampson again named Big East Rookie of the Week

St. John's only played one game this past week, but two of Steve Lavin's young stars were recognized by the Big East on Monday.

The league announced that Red Storm freshman JaKarr Sampson has been named the Big East Rookie of the Week for the third time this season. Sophomore D`Angelo Harrison has also been recognized as a member of this week's Big East honor roll.

Sampson scored 21 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in the Johnnies 77-60 win over St. Francis (NY) on Saturday. The performance against the Terriers was Sampson's third double-double in his past four games.

The honor is the freshman's third of the season, even before conference play is set to begin shortly after the New Year. He was also named Big East Rookie of the Week seven days ago.

Sampson, who was a central piece of Lavin's 8th-ranked recruiting class, is now averaging 14.5 points (17th Big East) and 7.4 rebounds per game (8th Big East).

D`Angelo Harrison was also (for the fourth time) announced as a member of this week's Big East honor roll, which recognizes five players for stellar performance throughout the week. Harrison scored 25 points in the Johnnies' win at the Barclays Center on Saturday.

Many projected Harrison would be among the conference's best scorers in his second campaign with the Red Storm. Through 11 games, he's confirming expectations by averaging 20.6 points per game (2nd in Big East behind Providence's Bryce Cotton).

Chane Behanan of Louisville was announced as the Big East Player of the Week. Myles Mack (Rutgers), Brandon Young (DePaul), Brandon Mobley (Seton Hall), and James Southerland (Syracuse) join Harrison on the honor roll.

Sampson and Harrison will be back in action on Friday night at Carnesecca Arena when the Red Storm welcomes UNC-Asheville to Queens.

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