SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Furman's Amu Saaka has been named the Southern Conference Player of the Week for all games November 17-23 the league office announced Tuesday (Nov. 24).  Saaka helped the Paladins pick up two wins last week over Presbyterian (68-64) and Dartmouth (83-60).  He averaged 25.5 points and 8.0 rebounds last week and made over 70 percent (19-of-27) of his field goal attempts.  The player of the week is selected by the league office.

A transfer from South Florida playing in his first season with the Paladins, Saaka scored a career-best 29 points against Presbyterian and added eight rebounds.  He added 22 points and eight rebounds against Dartmouth to help Furman improve to its first 3-0 start since the 1987-88 season.  Saaka connected on 70 percent of his field goal attempts and made 6-of-8 shots from three-point range last week.  The Decatur, Ga., native also shot 70 percent from the free throw line (7-of-10).

Saaka leads the league in scoring (20.0 ppg) and field goal percentage (.629).  He also ranks second in the conference in rebounding (8.7 rpg) and fourth in three-point percentage (.600).

The Paladins (3-0) return to action Tuesday night when they visit Rice.  Furman will then travel to take on UNC Asheville Friday night.

Other top performers in the Southern Conference included The Citadel's Cameron Wells, Georgia Southern's Antonio Hanson, Chattanooga's Ridge McKeither and Wofford's Noah Dahlman.

SoCon Men's Basketball Player of the Week
Nov. 17 - Josh Bonney, Elon
Nov. 24 - Amu Saaka, Furman