ATLANTA, GA – The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) announced weekly honors for men's and women's basketball on Tuesday, January 16. In this celebration of on-court successes, Tuskegee's Martez Jones was named Men's Basketball Player of the Week, while Savannah State's Jordan Mikel took home the title of Men's Basketball Newcomer of the Week. Fort Valley State’s Shekinah Rachel was named Women's Basketball Player of the Week, and Savannah State's Mya Byrd concluded the lineup, receiving the honor of Women's Basketball Newcomer of the Week.
MEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Martez Jones, Tuskegee University
#1 | Forward | Junior | Tuskegee, Alabama
Martez Jones, Tuskegee's rising star, delivered a spectacular performance in Saturday's clash with Kentucky State. Scoring a game-high 26 points with remarkable efficiency, shooting 9 of 12, Jones was instrumental in leading the Tuskegee Golden Tigers to a significant victory over the Thorobreds. Jones' scoring prowess and his sixth double-double of the season (13 rebounds) highlighted his dominance on the court. As a junior forward, Jones's contribution extended beyond points and rebounds. He added one assist, a block, and a steal in his 30 minutes of play, showcasing his all-around skills. This latest feat solidifies Jones's reputation as a standout player for the Golden Tigers, bringing pride to his hometown of Tuskegee, Alabama.
MEN'S BASKETBALL NEWCOMER OF THE WEEK - Jordan Mikel, Savannah State University
#10 | Forward | Freshman | Jacksonville, Florida
Jordan Mikel, a freshman forward for the Savannah State Tigers, is making waves with significant contributions to the Tigers' successes. Mikel's recent performances include notable achievements in games against Fort Valley State University and Morris College. On the road, the Tigers faced Fort Valley State, where Mikel amassed 45% from the field, one offensive rebound, two defensive rebounds, two assists, and one block. Mikel's impact was multifaceted as the team rivaled Morris College at home. Within 27 minutes of play, Mikel's on-the-court prowess featured 91% from the field, one offensive rebound, five defensive rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block, showcasing his resilience and determination as a collegiate powerhouse for Savannah State.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Shekinah Rachel, Fort Valley State University
#12 | Forward | Senior | Miami, Florida
Shekinah Rachel, a senior forward for Fort Valley State, has been turning heads in recent contests! Rachel's performance remained a highlight throughout two recent matches despite the team's mixed results with a 1-1 record. Rivaling Talladega and Savannah State, Rachel's statistics were nothing short of impressive as she amassed 32 points, including a takeaway of 17 of 27 from the field and 18 of 25 free throws. Additionally, the Miami native contributed three assists, two blocks, and an impressive seven steals, underscoring her versatility on the court. Being a standout player, not for her shooting accuracy, but for her consistency. Rachel reigned victorious as she recorded double-doubles during both contests, making three consecutive games and four out of the last five where she has achieved this impressive feat. Rachel's performance indicates her skill and dedication, making her an invaluable asset to the Wildcats and a player to watch.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL NEWCOMER OF THE WEEK - Mya Byrd, Savannah State University
#2 | Guard | Junior | Ashburn, Georgia
Junior guard Mya Byrd turned up the heat in a recent contest, showcasing her talents as a standout player for Savannah State. At home, the Tigers rivaled Morris College, where Byrd shook the house as when she took the court for 23 minutes of the action-packed matchup. The Ashburn, Georgia native amassed 82% from the field and connected five of six three-pointers (83%). In addition to her shooting accuracy, Byrd's stats include three defensive rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block. In a subsequent away game against Fort Valley State University, Byrd showcased her versatility, determination, and skill, taking home five shots from the field, one three-pointer, three defensive rebounds, eight assists, one steal, and two blocks.
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.