Potts Named Big Ten Freshman of the Week

Photo Credit: NU Athletic Communications

Lincoln - Nebraska's Natalie Potts captured the initial Big Ten Freshman of the Week award of the 2023-24 season, when the conference announced its women's basketball awards on Monday, Nov. 13.

Potts, a 6-2 forward from O'Fallon, Mo., averaged 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.0 block while making a pair of starts in the first week of the regular season. Potts helped the Huskers to a 2-0 record by providing a disruptive presence on defense and efficiency on the offensive end.

In Nebraska's 71-52 victory at Wyoming (Nov. 10), Potts hit 6-of-7 shots from the field, including a three-pointer, on her way to 15 points. The two-time Missouri High School Player of the Year was a major contributor to an 18-0 first-half run that put the Huskers in control, and a decisive 19-2 second-half surge that sealed the victory. 

In the Big Red's season-opening win over Northwestern State, Potts put up 10 points, five rebounds, two steals, an assist and a block in less than 20 minutes of action. She was on the court for almost the entirety of Nebraska runs of 16-0 (1st quarter), 12-0 (2nd quarter) and 10-0 (3rd) quarter against the Lady Demons. She also connected on 5-for-7 shots from the field.

For the week, Potts hit 11-of-14 field goal attempts (.786), including 10-of-11 two-point tries (.909). 

In addition to Potts being named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week, junior center Alexis Markowski earned mention on the Big Ten Weekly Honor Roll. Markowski averaged 15.0 points and 10.5 rebounds, including game highs of 17 points and 13 boards in the win at Wyoming. Markowski scored the first 10 points of Nebraska's decisive 19-2 second-half surge against the Cowgirls.

Potts, Markowski and the rest of the Huskers will be back in action at home on Tuesday night, when Nebraska plays host to Alcorn State. Tip-off between the Big Red and Lady Braves is set for 7 p.m. with tickets available at Huskers.com.