MEAC Announces Weekly Men’s Basketball Honors

Men's Basketball | 2/24/2025 9:38:10 AM

NORFOLK, Va., Feb. 24, 2025 – Howard’s freshman guard Blake Harper was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Player and Rookie of the Week. Morgan State’s Daniel Akitoby earned Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Harper (G, 6-5, Fr., Washington, D.C.) averaged 27.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.5 steals in a 2-0 week for the Bison. Harper tallied his fifth 30-point performance of the season in the win over Maryland Eastern Shore recording 34 points with eight rebounds, five assists and one steal. He added 21 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals to aid Howard in the victory over Morgan State. On the week, Harper shot 60.7 percent (17-of-28) from the field, 60.0 percent from three-point range (3-of-5) and 69.2 percent (18-of-26) from the free throw line.

Akitoby (F, 6-9, 230, Sr., Fairfax, Va.) recorded his sixth double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds in the win over N.C. Central while adding three blocks and two steals. Akitoby registered his eighth 10-rebound game of the year against Howard with 13 rebounds to pair with three blocks and one steal.

Other Top Performers
  • Toby Nnadozie (CSU) contributed 15 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, six steals and three blocks in an 0-2 week for the Eagles.
  • Derrius Ward (CSU) tallied 26 points and seven rebounds in his return to the court for Coppin State against Norfolk State.
  • Martaz Robinson (DSU) averaged 22.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals in a 1-1 week for Delaware State.
  • Ayodele Taiwo (HU) totalled 21 points, 12 rebounds and seven steals in a 2-0 week for Howard. 
  • Will Thomas (MSU) recorded 54 points, including a 31-point performance in the loss to Howard.
  • Chris Fields Jr. (NSU) tallied 33 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists and five steals in two games for the Spartans.
  • Jaylani Darden (NSU) collected 10 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, eight steals and one block in a 2-0 week for the Spartans.
  • Perry Smith Jr. (NCCU) contributed 19 points, 12 rebounds in the N.C. Central win over Coppin State.
  • Drayton Jones (SCSU) led the Bulldogs with 38 points in two games adding nine rebounds, five assists and two blocks.