Men's Basketball | 12/9/2024 4:54:29 PM

NORFOLK, Va., Dec. 9, 2024 – Morgan State senior Will Thomas 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 Perry Smith Jr. earned Defensive Player of the Week honors, respectively.

Thomas (F, 6-6, 200, RSr., Baltimore, Md.) averaged 25.5 points, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.5 rebounds for the week. Thomas collected a 66.7 percent shooting percentage (20-of-30), 100 percent from three-point range (5-of-5) and 75 percent from the free throw line (6-of-8). Against Cheyney, Thomas led the Bears with a career-high 32 points shooting 80 percent from the field (12-of-15 FG) and was perfect from three-point range (4-of-4) and the charity stripe (4-of-4). He followed with 19 points against Bowling Green.

Harper (G, 6-5, Fr., Washington, D.C.) tallied his first career double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds adding one assist and one steal in the Bison’s game against No. 14 Cincinnati. Harper shot 50 percent (8-of-16) from the field and was a perfect 7-of-7 from the free throw line.

Smith Jr. (F, 6-9, 230, Jr., Augusta, Ga.) averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 2.0 blocks in a 1-1 week for the Eagles. He recorded a 20-point, eight rebound performance against Radford adding two steals and two blocks. Murray shot 70.6 percent from the field (12-of-17) and 75.0 percent from the charity stripe.

Other Top Performers

• Martaz Robinson (DSU) averaged 17.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.5 steals in a 1-1 week for Delaware State.
• Joshua Strong (HU) recorded nine points with four steals, two assists and one rebounds against No. 14 Cincinnati.
• Evan Johnson (UMES) collected 42 points, 10 assists and five rebounds in a 1-1 week for the Hawks.
• Po’Boigh King (NCCU) registered 28 points in the win over Gardner-Webb with six rebounds and two steals.