SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Western Carolina guard Vonterius Woolbright has been named the Southern Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for all contests from Jan. 22-28 after averaging 26 points per game last week. The award is selected by the league office.
 
Woolbright extended his school record for conference player of the week selections in one season, picking up his seventh honor of the season. His seven recognitions also gave him the most conference player of the week selections for any Catamount in their career, passing previous record holder Frankie King, who played for Western Carolina from 1993-95.
 
Western Carolina went 1-1 last week, falling to UNCG in overtime, 85-82, on Jan. 24, before defeating VMI, 102-77, on Jan. 27.
 
Against UNCG, Woolbright had 34 points, which is one point from his career high, going 10-for-21 from the field and 13-for-16 at the charity stripe. He also grabbed 15 rebounds, dished out five assists and had a steal in the contest. The senior’s 34 points marked the second time this season that he scored 30-plus points in a game.
 
In the game with VMI, Woolbright logged his second triple-double of the season, finishing with 18 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists and two steals. The native of Albany, Georgia, is one of just three players in the NCAA to have multiple triple-doubles this season.
 
For the week, Woolbright averaged 26.0 points, 14.0 rebounds and 8.0 assists. Woolbright has recorded a double-double in 13 straight games as he currently leads the nation in double-doubles with 18.

Western Carolina (16-5, 5-3 SoCon) hosts Chattanooga (14-7, 6-2) on Wednesday, before traveling to Wofford (12-9, 5-3) on Saturday.
 
Other nominees: Jaden Seymour (ETSU), Marcus Foster (Furman), Jalyn McCreary (Mercer), Mikeal Brown-Jones (UNCG), Nathan Jones (Samford), Sam Alexis (Chattanooga) and Corey Tripp (Wofford)
 
2023-24 SoCon Men’s Basketball Players of the Week
Nov. 13             Vonterius Woolbright, Sr., G, Western Carolina
Nov. 20             Keyshaun Langley, Gr., G, UNCG
Nov. 27             Mikeal Brown-Jones, Sr., F, UNCG
Dec. 4              Vonterius Woolbright, Sr., G, Western Carolina
Dec. 11             Alex Williams, Jr., F, Furman
Dec. 18             Vonterius Woolbright, Sr., G, Western Carolina
Dec. 25             Vonterius Woolbright, Sr., G, Western Carolina
Jan. 1               Jaden Seymour, Jr., F, ETSU
Jan. 8               Vonterius Woolbright, Sr., G, Western Carolina
Jan. 15             Vonterius Woolbright, Sr., G, Western Carolina
Jan. 22             Mikeal Brown-Jones, Sr., F, UNCG
Jan. 29             Vonterius Woolbright, Sr., G, Western Carolina