By Danielle Daniels
12/16/2024
Valparaiso University men’s basketball guard All Wright (Durango, Mexico / Link Year) was named the Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Week on Monday. This marked the second time this season he has earned the honor, the third time a member of the program has won the award this season and the team’s ninth MVC Freshman of the Week Award since head coach Roger Powell Jr. arrived at Valpo prior to the 2023-24 season.
Wright poured in a personal-best 26 points to help Valpo beat Central Michigan 93-77 on Saturday. His point total doubled his previous career high of 13 that occurred on Nov. 27 vs. Northern Illinois. Wright went 8-for-8 at the free-throw line while draining four 3s against the Chippewas.
Over the last 16 seasons, Wright became just the fourth different Valpo freshman to score at least 26 points in a game, joining Cooper Schwieger (twice), Javon Freeman-Liberty, Alec Peters (three times) and Matt Kenney. Freeman-Liberty and Peters both went on to play in the NBA, while Schwieger and Wright are on Valpo’s current roster. Wright’s 26 points were the most scored by a Missouri Valley Conference freshman in a game this season. The last freshman on any Valley team to score at least 26 points in a game was Cooper Schwieger on March 3, 2024 vs. Illinois State (28).
Wright’s performance was just the 13th time nationally that a freshman scored at least 26 points in a game this season and he became just the 10th different freshman in the nation with a 26-point performance this year. The only mid-major rookies in the country who have scored 26 points or more in a game in 2024-25 are Wright and San Francisco’s Tyrone Riley IV (twice).
Valpo will visit Ohio State on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. CT / 8 p.m. ET in Columbus, Ohio. The game will be streamed on Peacock.
COURTESY VALPARAISO ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
