Duke’s Fournier Named ACC Player of the Week After Dominant Two-Game Stretch
Duke sophomore forward Ashlon Fournier is making her presence felt in a big way this season-and now she’s got some hardware to show for it. After powering the Blue Devils through a pair of statement wins, Fournier was named the ACC Women’s Basketball Player of the Week for the first time in her career.
If you’ve been following Duke’s rise this season, this recognition feels less like a surprise and more like an inevitability. Fournier has been the engine behind the No. 11 Blue Devils’ undefeated run through conference play, and last week, she turned in two performances that showcased why she’s one of the most impactful players in the ACC right now.
Let’s start with Thursday night in Louisville. Facing the sixth-ranked Cardinals on their home floor-a place Duke had never won in a true road game-Fournier delivered a gritty, all-around effort.
She finished with 15 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks, helping Duke edge out a 59-58 win in a game that came down to the wire. It wasn’t just her stat line-it was the timing of her plays.
Whether it was a key rebound, a clutch bucket, or a momentum-shifting block, Fournier consistently showed up when it mattered most.
Then came Sunday against SMU, and Fournier took it up a notch. In just 28 minutes, she poured in 26 points on a blistering 75 percent shooting clip, while also grabbing six boards and swatting three more shots. Her efficiency was off the charts, and she anchored a Duke defense that continues to be one of the most disciplined and disruptive units in the country.
For the week, Fournier averaged 20.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game, shooting 50 percent from the field overall. Those numbers are impressive on their own, but they’re even more meaningful when you consider the context: two wins, one against a top-10 opponent, and both crucial to keeping Duke’s perfect ACC record intact.
This stretch also marked her 24th and 25th career games scoring in double digits, and her 16th and 17th games with multiple blocks. That kind of consistency on both ends of the floor is what separates good players from great ones-and Fournier is making a strong case for the latter.
Statistically, she’s been among the league’s elite all season. She currently ranks third in the ACC in scoring (18.0 points per game) and second in blocks (2.2 per game).
In conference play, she’s been even better-second in field goal percentage (.577), second in blocks (2.2), third in scoring (18.8), and ninth in rebounding (8.3). For a sophomore, that’s not just impressive-it’s the foundation of a potential All-American resume.
Now riding a 15-game win streak, Duke has all the momentum heading into their next marquee matchup: a rivalry showdown against No. 21 North Carolina on Sunday, Feb.
- Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. on ABC, and you can bet Fournier will be at the center of the action once again.
With her combination of size, skill, and poise, Fournier is emerging as one of the most complete players in the country. And if last week is any indication, she’s just getting started.