SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Chattanooga guard Malachi Smith has been named the Southern Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week presented by GEICO for all contests from Nov. 15-21 after averaging 19.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals in wins over Tennessee Tech and VCU. The award is selected by the league office.
 
Smith scored 18 points, pulled down eight rebounds and dished off six assists in the Mocs’ 69-62 win over Tennessee Tech on Tuesday, which clinched the title of the Coke Zero Sugar Classic presented by 3H Group and Springhill Suites Downtown Chattanooga. The Belleville, Illinois, native was 6-for-15 (.400) from the floor, including a 3-for-6 mark from 3-point range. He made all three of his free-throw attempts and picked up two steals in the win.
 
Four days later, Smith hit the game-winning shot with less than a second left as Chattanooga grabbed a 56-54 road win over VCU. Smith finished with 20 points, five boards, two assists and two steals. He was 7-for-12 (.583) from the floor, hit both 3-point attempts and went 4-for-5 from the free-throw line as the Mocs improved to 4-0 on the season.
 
Chattanooga kicks off a two-game homestand Tuesday when it hosts Covenant at 11 a.m. The Mocs then welcome College of Charleston on Saturday at 4 p.m.
 
Other nominees: Hayden Brown (The Citadel), Silas Adheke (ETSU), Jalen Slawson (Furman), Felipe Haase (Mercer), De’Monte Buckingham (UNCG), Ques Glover (Samford), Kamydn Curfman (VMI), Nicholas Robinson (Western Carolina) and B.J. Mack (Wofford).
 
2021-22 SoCon Men’s Basketball Players of the Week presented by GEICO
Nov. 15             Mike Bothwell, Sr., G, Furman
Nov. 22             Malachi Smith, So., G, Chattanooga