SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Furman senior Amu Saaka has been named the Southern Conference Player of the Week for all games played January 18-24 the league office announced Tuesday (Jan. 25).  Saaka averaged 22.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and shot 68 percent from the floor as the Paladins earned wins over Samford (74-55), Chattanooga (85-59) and Wofford (73-68) last week. 

After opening the week with 14 points against Samford, the Decatur, Ga., native poured in a season-high 30 points and added eight rebounds in Furman's victory over Chattanooga. Saaka closed the week with 22 points and six rebounds as Furman outlasted Wofford in overtime.  He connected on 23-of-34 field goal attempts last week and knocked down 10-of-16 (.625) from three-point range.  Saaka also made 83 percent (10-of-12) from the free-throw line.

It is the second time this season he has earned the Player of the Week honor, joining Appalachian State's Omar Carter as the only other repeat winner this season. 

Saaka leads the Paladins in scoring (17.2 ppg) and rebounding (6.5 rpg).  He is the only player in the Southern Conference to rank in the top ten for both categories as he is fourth in scoring and sixth in rebounding.

Furman (15-5, 7-2 SoCon) returns to the action Thursday when the Paladins visit Western Carolina at 7:00 p.m.

Other top performers in the Southern Conference included College of Charleston's Andrew Goudelock, The Citadel's Cameron Wells, Elon's Drew Spradlin, Georgia Southern's Western Carolina's Mike Williams and Wofford's Noah Dahlman.

SoCon Men's Basketball Player of the Week
Nov. 16 - Omar Carter, Appalachian State
Nov. 23 - Donald Sims, Appalachian State
Nov. 30 - Cameron Wells, The Citadel
Dec. 7 - Noah Dahlman, Wofford
Dec. 14 - Brendan McKillop, Davidson
Dec. 21 - Jeremy Simmons, College of Charleston
Jan. 4 - Amu Saaka, Furman
Jan. 11 - Omar Carter, Appalachian State
Jan. 18 - Omar Wattad, Chattanooga
Jan. 25 - Amu Saaka, Furman