ATLANTA, GA – The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) announced weekly honors for men's and women's basketball on Wednesday, December 13. Allen's
Austin James was named
Men's Basketball Player of the Week, while LeMoyne-Owen's
Philpps Joseph took home the title of
Men's Basketball Newcomer of the Week. Kentucky State's
Gracen Kerr was named
Women's Basketball Player of the Week, and Benedict's
Raven Johnson concluded the lineup, receiving the honor of
Women's Basketball Newcomer of the Week.
MEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Austin James, Allen University
#11 | Guard | Senior | Buffalo, New York
James, a senior guard from Buffalo, New York, showcased remarkable talent this week, propelling Allen University to a sterling 2-0 record. Demonstrating his prowess on the court, James averaged an impressive 19.5 points per game. His standout performances included scoring 20 points in a decisive victory against Central State and contributing 19 points in the triumph over Carolina Christian. James' sharpshooting skills were particularly noteworthy; he sank a total of 7 three-pointers over the week, with a remarkable 5 out of 7 threes in one game alone. His leadership and skill continue to be a driving force for Allen University's basketball team.
MEN'S BASKETBALL NEWCOMER OF THE WEEK - Philpps Joseph, LeMoyne-Owen College
#31 | Forward | Junior | Brooklyn, New York
Joseph, a junior forward for LeMoyne-Owen College and Brooklyn, New York native, showcased remarkable skills in his recent games against Albany State and FAMU. He impressively averaged 11.9 points and 9 rebounds per game over these two matchups. His standout performance came in the game against Albany State, where he scored a commendable 16 points and secured 13 rebounds, demonstrating his prowess on the court. Despite the Magicians splitting the results with a 1-1 record, Joseph's individual contributions were a highlight, underscoring his growing potential as a key player for the team.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Gracen Kerr, Kentucky State University
#11 | Point Guard | Senior | Ansonia, Connecticut
In an impressive display of skill and tenacity, senior point guard Gracen Kerr delivered a standout performance for Kentucky State University. During their triumphant game against Benedict, Kerr notched an impressive 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, playing a pivotal role in the team's victory. The highlight of her season, however, came in a challenging face-off with D1 opponent Northern Kentucky, where Kerr shone brightest on the court. Leading both teams, she racked up a remarkable 21 points, coupled with 6 steals and 6 rebounds, showcasing her exceptional talent and solidifying her status as a key player for Kentucky State.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL NEWCOMER OF THE WEEK - Raven Johnson, Benedict College
#11 | Forward | Freshman | Blythewood, South Carolina
As a key player for Benedict College, freshman forward Raven Johnson showcased her burgeoning talent in this week's matchups despite the Lady Tigers facing challenging outcomes. Hailing from Blythewood, South Carolina, Johnson demonstrated her multifaceted skills on the court, averaging an impressive 11 points per game. In the hard-fought road encounter against Kentucky State, she was a vital contributor with eight points, four rebounds, and three steals. Her prowess was further highlighted in the game against Johnson C. Smith, where she notched a season-high 14 points. This performance was complemented by six rebounds, a blocked shot, and three steals, underlining her significant impact as a rising star in the team.
About the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)
The SIAC is a NCAA athletic conference consisting primarily of historically black colleges and universities with headquarters in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The SIAC includes 15 member institutions (Albany State University, Allen University, Benedict College, Central State University, Clark Atlanta University, Edward Waters University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Lane College, LeMoyne-Owen College, Miles College, Morehouse College, Savannah State University, Spring Hill College, and Tuskegee University), which are located within a contiguous seven-state footprint (Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee and Ohio). The SIAC sponsors seven men's and six women's sports and is a proud member of the NCAA Division II. For more information, visit
www.thesiac.com.