OSU's Forte, OU's Thomas Sweep Big 12 Weekly Awards

Oklahoma State's Phil Forte and Oklahoma's TaShawn Thomas are the first 2015 recipients of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Player and Newcomer of the Week. Both student-athletes are recognized for the first time in their careers.

BIG 12 PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Phil Forte, Oklahoma State, G, Jr., 5-11, 185, Flower Mound, Texas/Marcus

Forte averaged 20.5 points last week as Oklahoma State recorded wins over Missouri and Kansas State. The junior guard finished with 21 points, three assists and three steals against the Tigers in front of a decidedly pro-MU crowd at Sprint Center, including a huge steal late in the game to seal the Cowboys' 74-72 overtime victory. He then added a game-high 20 points in a 61-47 win versus K-State as OSU won its Big 12 season-opener for the first time since 2011-12. In two games, he was 14-of-24 (.583) from the floor, including 6-of-12 (.500) from 3-point range. Against Kansas State, Forte became the 40th player in school history to surpass 1,000 points for his career.

BIG 12 NEWCOMER OF THE WEEK

TaShawn Thomas, Oklahoma, F, Sr., 6-8, 240, Killeen, Texas/University of Houston

Thomas posted 16.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in victories over George Mason and No. 22 Baylor. The senior forward connected on 68.2 percent (15-of-22) of his shots from the field while adding three free throws. He made an OU season-high 11 field goals against the Bears, en route to his fifth double-figure scoring output in the past six contests. Thomas has grabbed six or more boards in six different outings in 2014-15 and has shot 64.7 percent or higher in five of his last six games.