SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Furman’s Stephen Croone has been named the Southern Conference Player of the Week for all games played Nov. 12-18, while UNCG’s Tevon Saddler earned the CRONS Freshman of the Week Award, the league office announced today (Nov. 19).
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Stephen Croone, Furman, So., G, Covington, Ga.
Stephen Croone averaged 27.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists last week as the Paladins went 1-1. Furman topped Gardner-Webb 75-64, before falling to Florida Gulf Coast, 70-69. Croone scored a career-high 30 points in the win over the Runnin’ Bulldogs before pouring in 24 points and four assists against FGCU. The Covington, Ga., native shot 54 percent from the field last week and was 14-of-17 from the free-throw line.
Other nominees: Michael Obacha (Appalachian State), Ashton Moore (The Citadel), Tre Bussey (Georgia Southern), Tevon Saddler (UNCG), Z. Mason (Chattanooga) and Tom Tankelewicz (Wofford).
CRONS Freshman of the Week: Tevon Saddler, UNCG, G, Aberdeen, Md.
Freshman guard Tevon Saddler averaged 24.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game last week as the UNCG Spartans fell by one to East Carolina (85-84), before topping Chowan (97-58). Saddler set a UNCG freshman record with 34 points against the Pirates. He then scored 15 points in 17 minutes off the bench against Chowan. Saddler shot 64 percent from the floor last week, was 21-of-30 from the free-throw line, and averaged 4.5 assists over the two games.
Other nominees: Mike Kobani (Appalachian State), Brian White (The Citadel), William Gates Jr. (Furman), Kyle Doyle (Georgia Southern), and T.J. Williams (Chattanooga).
SoCon Men’s Basketball Player of the Week
Nov. 12 – Jelani Hewitt, Georgia Southern
Nov. 19 – Stephen Croone, Furman