SPARTANBURG, S.C. – VMI center Jake Stephens has been named the Southern Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week presented by GEICO for all contests from Dec. 6-12 after notching a big double-double and crossing the 1,000-point plateau for his career in a win over Gardner-Webb. The award is selected by the league office.
 
In his lone action of the week, a 64-61 win over Gardner-Webb on Saturday, Stephens scored 28 points, pulled down 16 rebounds and blocked six shots, all season highs, with the latter two categories tying his career highs. The senior from Bunker Hill, West Virginia, twice gave VMI the lead in the final minute of play, first putting the Keydets on top 60-59 with 42 seconds left before scoring what would be the winning bucket with 11 seconds left to make it 62-61. A pair of VMI free throws with two seconds left iced the game.
 
Stephens, who added three assists and a steal on the afternoon, entered the contest needing 20 points to reach 1,000 for his career and reached the mark comfortably. The double-double was the eighth of his career.
 
VMI, which has won four straight to move to 7-4 on the season, visits Wake Forest (9-1) on Tuesday in a contest that will air on Bally Sports South & Southeast at 7 p.m.
 
Other nominees: Hayden Brown (The Citadel), Ledarrius Brewer (ETSU), Alex Hunter (Furman), Felipe Haase (Mercer), De’Monte Buckingham (UNCG), Jermaine Marshall (Samford), Malachi Smith (Chattanooga), Vonterius Woolbright (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
Nov. 29             Max Klesmit, So., G, Wofford
Dec. 6              Jalen Slawson, Sr., F, Furman
Dec. 13             Jake Stephens, Sr., C, VMI