University of North Carolina Athletics

Kayla McPherson scored a career-high 22 points in the win over Boston College.
Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI
McPherson Earns ACC WBB Rookie Honor
February 13, 2023 | Women's Basketball
North Carolina's Kayla McPherson has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference Women's Basketball Rookie of the Week after averaging 14.5 points in the Tar Heels' two games last week.
McPherson, a redshirt freshman guard from Hull, Ga., made her first career start Sunday in a 73-55 win over Boston College and led UNC with a career-high 22 points. She scored 10 points in the first quarter alone and had 16 points on 7-8 shooting at halftime.
In addition to her scoring total, McPherson finished the game with new career highs in field goals (9-17), three-pointers (4-7), rebounds (six) and minutes (29:29) in just her fifth collegiate game. She missed all of last season with a knee injury and then sat out the first 20 games of this season before making her debut in UNC's game at Clemson on Jan. 29.
McPherson stepped into the starting lineup on Sunday with three of UNC's usual starters sidelined for the game.
On Thursday at Syracuse, she came off the bench to play 20 minutes and score seven points on 3-8 shooting in the Tar Heels' loss.
For the week, she averaged 14.5 points while shooting 48 percent from the field. Over her past five games, she is averaging 11.6 ppg and shooting 50 percent for the season.
UNC is the only school to have two different players win rookie honors this season. Paulina Paris was honored on Jan. 30, giving the Tar Heels two of the past three winners.
McPherson, a redshirt freshman guard from Hull, Ga., made her first career start Sunday in a 73-55 win over Boston College and led UNC with a career-high 22 points. She scored 10 points in the first quarter alone and had 16 points on 7-8 shooting at halftime.
In addition to her scoring total, McPherson finished the game with new career highs in field goals (9-17), three-pointers (4-7), rebounds (six) and minutes (29:29) in just her fifth collegiate game. She missed all of last season with a knee injury and then sat out the first 20 games of this season before making her debut in UNC's game at Clemson on Jan. 29.
McPherson stepped into the starting lineup on Sunday with three of UNC's usual starters sidelined for the game.
On Thursday at Syracuse, she came off the bench to play 20 minutes and score seven points on 3-8 shooting in the Tar Heels' loss.
For the week, she averaged 14.5 points while shooting 48 percent from the field. Over her past five games, she is averaging 11.6 ppg and shooting 50 percent for the season.
UNC is the only school to have two different players win rookie honors this season. Paulina Paris was honored on Jan. 30, giving the Tar Heels two of the past three winners.
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