NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – University of Dayton sophomore forward DaRon Holmes II has been named the Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Week after his play last week in games against UMass and George Mason.  

Holmes averaged 28.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 blocked shots in the two games last week.  He shot .645 (20-31) from the field and .696 (16-23) from the line.

At UMass on Wednesday, Holmes had 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three blocked shots and two steals.   Saturday at home in a loss to George Mason, the Flyer big man scored a career-best 34 points.  He scored 21 of his 34 points in the second half.  

For the season, Holmes leads UD in scoring (18.3), and is second in rebounding (7.9.)  He is the only player in the A-10 to be in the top four in both.   He also leads the Flyers in FG% (.597, 197-33) and blocked shots (53), and he is second on the team in steals (21).

The Goodyear, Ariz. product also leads the nation in dunks (79).  Washington's Braxton Meah (76) and Purdue's Zach Edey (66) are second and third, respectively.  

He is on the watch list for the USBWA Oscar Robertson National Player of the Year Award and is a Top 10 semifinalist Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame's Karl Malone Award, which goes to the top four-man in college basketball.

This is Holmes' first Atlantic 10 weekly honor this season.  Teammate Toumani Camara was the A-10 Player of the Week two weeks ago.

Dayton is 19-10 overall, and tied for second place in the Atlantic 10 with an 11-5 mark.  

UD's next game is Senior Night, and will be played Tuesday night at home against La Salle.  Game time is 7 p.m. ET.