SoCon Names Men's Basketball Player of the Week

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford guard Keaton Norris was named the Southern Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for all games played from November 10-16. The league office selects the award.

Norris (Hilliard, OH / Hilliard Bradley HS) led Samford to wins over Texas Southern and Central Arkansas and was solid in a close loss to Arkansas last week. He averaged 17.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and one steal per game and logged 37.3 minutes per game.

In Samford’s 93-90 overtime win at Texas Southern on November 12, Norris netted 22 points, pulled down eight rebounds, and dished off five assists. He made 6-of-11 shots from the floor and sank 7-of-9 free throws. Norris’ clutch trey with 29 seconds left in regulation tied the game and forced overtime. After Texas Southern surged in front by five early in the extra period, Norris drained another three with 3:28 to play to cut the margin to two, then stole a pass and converted two free throws with 3:14 left to tie the game. He added another free throw with 26 seconds left to put the Bulldogs up by five.

Against Central Arkansas in another overtime win, Norris nailed a jumper with 31 seconds left in regulation to put Samford in front by two. He connected on another jumper with 2:23 left in overtime to break a 74-74 tie and give Samford the lead for good. A three-point splash with 1:41 left put the Bulldogs up 79-74. Against Arkansas, Norris scored 11 points, pulled down four rebounds, and posted five assists in a 79-75 setback on an SEC home court.

For the season, Norris is averaging 14.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game. He has only 10 turnovers in five starts – posting the best assist/turnover ratio in the SoCon for players with at least 5.0 assists per game.

Samford (3-2) hosts Florida Gulf Coast on November 19 at 7:00 pm ET (ESPN+).

Other nominees: Kyle Cuffe, Jr. (Mercer), Kahmare Holmes (Wofford), Christian Moore (The Citadel), Justin Neely (UNCG), Julien Soumaoro (Western Carolina).

2025-26 SoCon Men’s Basketball Players of the Week
Nov. 10 –TJ Johnson, Jr., F, VMI

Nov. 17 – Keaton Norris, Sr., G, Samford