Men's Basketball | 12/2/2024 5:22:03 PM

NORFOLK, Va., Dec. 2, 2024 – Delaware State guard Robert Smith was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Player of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola. Howard’s guard Blake Harper was named Rookie of the Week, while North Carolina Central’s forward Jaqai Murray earned Defensive Player of the Week honors, respectively.

Smith (G, 6-2, 185, Sr., Philadelphia, Pa.) averaged 20.5 points, 5.5 assists, 2.0 steals and 2.5 rebounds for the week. Smith collected a 46.9 percent shooting percentage (15-of-32), 44 percent from three-point range and 60 percent from the free throw line. In the contest against Texas, Smith led the Hornets with 22 points and five rebounds. He followed with 19 points, eight assists and four steals in the win over Penn State Wilkes Barre.

Harper (G, 6-5, Fr., Washington, D.C.) tallied 35 points and eight rebounds with three assists and four steals in two games for the Bison. In the game against UMBC, Harper recorded a career-high 20 points with one rebound, one assist and two steals.

Murray (F, 6-7, 215, Jr., Brooklyn, N.Y.) averaged 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 13.5 points in a 2-0 week for the Eagles. He registered a double-double performance of 16 points and 10 rebounds with six steals and two assists in the Eagles 131-51 victory over Virginia-Lynchburg. Murray shot 70.6 percent from the field (12-of-17) and 75.0 percent from the charity stripe.

Other Top Performers

• Wynston Tabbs (MSU) recorded 43 points, five rebounds, four assists and five steals in a 1-1 week for Morgan State.
• Daniel Akitoby (MSU) collected a double-double of 18 points and 16 rebounds in the Bears' 123-70 win against Central Pennsylvania.
• Brian Moore, Jr. (NSU) totaled 37 points with seven rebounds, five assists and three steals in a 2-0 week for the Spartans.
• Keishon Porter (NCCU) registered 23 points in N.C. Central’s historic win over Virginia-Lynchburg.