SMU’s Papa Dia Repeats As C-USA Player Of The Week

SMU senior Papa Dia was named C-USA Co-Player of the Week by voting from a media panel covering the 12 conference schools. Dia repeats as Player of the Week, as he averaged 19.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks. Dia shared the award with Jontae Sherrod of East Carolina.

Papa Dia, SMU
Senior, F, St. Louis, Senegal

Dia averaged 19.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in games against UAB and Southern Miss to repeat as C-USA Player of the Week. Dia tallied 23 points, nine rebounds, four blocks and was 10-of-10 on field goals in the 79-65 win over Southern Miss Saturday. He became just the second player in C-USA history to record 10 made field goals without a miss. In the second half, Dia went 7-of-7 from the floor to total 17 points, six rebounds and two blocks as SMU pulled away. SMU shot 69.8 percent from the floor against the Golden Eagles, a performance that ranks second in SMU history and second by any C-USA team in a conference game. At UAB on Wednesday, Dia had 16 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks as he tallied his fourth straight double-double. This is his third C-USA Player of the Week honor this season and for his career.

On the season, Dia is fifth in C-USA in scoring (17.8), fourth in rebounds (8.8), and third in blocks (1.9). He also has eight double-doubles and leads C-USA in field goal percentage at 59.6 percent. In C-USA games, Dia has upped his averages to 20.8 points (2nd), 10.0 rebounds (2nd) and 3.2 blocks (T-1st).