Jones Named C-USA Player of the Week

{fshare id=3302}

IRVING, Texas (SMU) – SMU sophomore Jalen Jones was named Conference USA Player of the Week honored for his stellar performances in SMU’s last two wins over Utah and Hofstra.

Jones averaged 17.0 points, 14.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocked shots, 1.5 assists and a steal over the two games, helping give the Mustangs to an 8-1 record, the team’s best start since the 2006-07 season (9-1). The 6-foot-7 guard posted double-doubles in each game. With 20 points and a career high 16 rebounds in a 62-55 home win against Utah on Wednesday, Jones became the first Mustang with more than 15 points and rebounds in a game since Papa Dia achieved the feat on March 9, 2011. Jones followed that performance with 14 points and 12 boards in a 73-47 road victory over Hofstra on Saturday.

Jones is averaging 15.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game for the season, good for sixth and eighth in the C-USA, respectively. The Dallas native is the SMU’s second leading scorer and top rebounder.

The award is Jones’ first and the first for any Mustang since Dia won back-to-back C-USA Player of the Week honors on Jan. 17-24, 2010.

SMU has two weeks between games for finals before hitting the hardwood at Rhode Island on Dec. 15.