Furman’s Smith named SoCon Player of the Week

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Furman guard PJay Smith Jr. has been named the Southern Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for all contests from Dec. 16-22. The award is selected by the league office.
 

Smith, who also won the honor on Nov. 11 and 18, had a strong all-around game in his lone appearance this week, helping the Paladins to a 77-63 win at Harvard on Dec. 21. The senior shot 8-for-11 (.727) from the field, including 5-for-7 (.701) from behind the arc, in the game with the Crimson. The native of LaVergne, Tennessee, also grabbed seven rebounds, dished out five assists and had two steals, while going a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe. Smith’s play versus Harvard helped Furman to a school-record 12th non-conference victory.

Furman (12-1) opens conference play at Western Carolina on New Year’s Day.
 
Other nominees: Quimari Peterson (ETSU), Trey Fort (Samford), Honor Huff (Chattanooga), Bernard Pelote (Western Carolina) and Kyler Filewich (Wofford)

 
2024-25 SoCon Men’s Basketball Players of the Week
Nov. 11             PJay Smith Jr., Sr., G, Furman

Nov. 18             PJay Smith Jr., Sr., G, Furman

Nov. 25             Quimari Peterson, Sr., G, ETSU

Dec. 2              Ahmad Robinson, Sr., G, Mercer

Dec. 9              Tyler “Chip” Johnson, Gr., G, Mercer

Dec. 16             Trey Bonham, Sr., G, Chattanooga

Dec. 23             PJay Smith Jr., Sr., G, Furman