SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Chattanooga graduate student Jake Stephens has been named the Southern Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for all contests from Dec. 5-11 after averaging 23 points, 11 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.5 blocked shots per game on the week. The award is selected by the league office.
 
Stephens opened his week with 31 points and 13 rebounds, both season bests, for his league-leading fifth double-double of the 2022-23 campaign in the Mocs’ 88-76 win over Milwaukee on Tuesday. The 7-0 center was 11-for-21 (.524) from the floor, including a 3-for-7 effort (.429) from 3-point range. He hit all six of his free-throw attempts and added four assists, three blocked shots and a steal in just 32 minutes of work.
 
In Saturday’s 97-47 win over Johnson (Tenn.), Stephens scored 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds in just 18 minutes of action. The Bunker Hill, West Virginia, native was 6-for-11 (.545) from the floor and 3-for-4 (.750) from the free-throw line. Stephens had three assists and four blocked shots on the day.
 
For the week, Stephens shot 53.1 percent from the floor (17-for-32) and 90 percent from the free-throw line (9-for-10). He did not have a turnover or commit a foul in either contest.
 
Stephens claimed his third straight weekly award and fourth this season. The honor is the ninth of his career, and he now trails only SoCon Hall of Famer Stephen Curry of Davidson, who had 16 selections from 2006-09, on the league’s all-time list.
 
Streaking Chattanooga (7-3), winner of five straight, visits Middle Tennessee on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET before hosting Belmont on Sunday at 2 p.m.
 
Other nominees: Mike Bothwell (Furman), Jalyn McCreary (Mercer), Jaron Rillie (Samford), Sean Conway (VMI), Vonterius Woolbright (Western Carolina) and B.J. Mack (Wofford).
 
2022-23 SoCon Men’s Basketball Players of the Week
Nov. 14             Jake Stephens, Gr., C, Chattanooga
Nov. 21             Mike Bothwell, 5th, G, Furman
Nov. 28             Jake Stephens, Gr., C, Chattanooga
Dec. 5              Jake Stephens, Gr., C, Chattanooga
Dec. 12             Jake Stephens, Gr., C, Chattanooga