OVC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
KJ Williams, F • 6-10, 245, Jr. • Cleveland, Miss. • Murray State
In a pair of wins last week, Williams averaged 22.0 points and 6.0 rebounds while hitting 81.0 percent (17-of-21) from the field, 71.4 percent (5-of-7) from 3-point range and 60 percent (3-of-5) from the free throw line. In the team’s season-opener against Cumberland, Williams had a career-high 32 points on 12-of-13 shooting (5-of-6 3-pointers) while also hitting 3-of-4 free throws. He added five rebounds in just 22 minutes of action. The 32 points are the sixth-most by a Division I player this season. In the team’s win over Bellarmine, Williams hit 5-of-8 shots on his way to 10 points, while also adding seven rebounds, an assist, block and steal.
Others Nominated: Elijah Hutchins-Everett, Austin Peay; Ben Sheppard, Belmont; CJ Lane, Eastern Illinois; Johni Broome, Morehead State; Eric Reed Jr., Southeast Missouri; Ray’Sean Taylor, SIUE; Dedric Boyd, Tennessee State; Keishawn Davidson, Tennessee Tech; KK Curry, UT Martin.
NEWCOMER OF THE WEEK
KK Curry, F • 6-6, 205, So. • Cleveland, Tenn. • UT Martin
Curry, a transfer from South Alabama, averaged 18.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 blocks/game while hitting 60 percent (15-of-25) from the field in a pair of games. In the team’s season-opener at No. 17 Tennessee, Curry had a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds while hitting 7-of-12 field goals. He became just the third Skyhawk since 2002 to have a double-double in the team’s season-opener. He capped the week with a game-high 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting against Miami-Hamilton. Curry added nine rebounds, three blocks and three assists in 26 minutes of action in the 94-66 win.
Others Nominated: Caleb Stone-Carrawell, Austin Peay; Jermaine Hamlin, Eastern Illinois; Tray Hollowell, Morehead State; Trae Hannibal, Murray State; Mamoudou Diarra, Tennessee Tech.
CO-FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Elijah Hutchins-Everett, C • 6-11, 270, Fr. • Orange, N.J. • Austin Peay
Hutchins-Everett averaged 18.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 1.0 assists and 1.0 blocks/game while hitting 54.2 percent (13-of-24) from the field, 66.7 percent (4-of-6) from 3-point range and 60 percent (6-of-10) from the free throw line in two games. In his collegiate debut he had 17 points, eight rebounds, a block, steal and assist against UT Southern. In that game Hutchins-Everett hit 6-of-13 field goals (2-of-3 3-pointers) in 24 minutes of action. Three games later he had a team-high 19 points at Southern Illinois. The center hit 7-of-11 field goals (2-of-3 3-pointers), grabbed five rebounds and had two steals.
CO-FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Ray’Sean Taylor, G • 6-1, 175, R-Fr. • Collinsville, Ill. • SIUE
Taylor averaged 20.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 1.0 assists/game while hitting 44.0 percent (11-of-25) from the field and 83.3 percent (15-of-18) from the line in a pair of road games. After missing last season with an injury, Taylor made his debut at Marquette last Tuesday, scoring 16 points on 5-of-12 shooting in 27 minutes of action. He hit 6-of-7 free throws and added five rebounds, two assists and a steal. Taylor followed that with 24 points, five steals and three rebounds at Chicago State. In that game he hit 6-of-13 field goals (including a trio of 3-pointers) and 9-of-11 free throws. Taylor currently leads all OVC freshmen in scoring.
Others Nominated: Will Richard, Belmont; Rodolfo Bolis, Eastern Illinoi