NEW ORLEANS – Southern Miss graduate forward Denijay Harris has been tabbed Sun Belt Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week following a career performance for the Golden Eagles in non-conference play last week.
 
Harris becomes the first Southern Miss player to earn the Sun Belt’s top weekly honor since Victor Iwuakor on Feb. 13, 2024.
 
Harris had a 20-point, 20-rebound performance in Southern Miss' only game of the week – an 81-64 home win over Alabama State on Dec. 5. The Columbus, Miss., native shot 8-for-14 from the floor and 4-for-5 at the free throw line to complement a career-high four assists along with one block and a steal. His 20-20 game was the fourth in program history and first since 1975. Harris’ 20 rebounds were the most by a Golden Eagle since 1978.
 
The last Sun Belt player to register at least 20 points and 20 rebounds in the same game was Louisiana’s Jordan Brown with 26 points and 20 rebounds on Feb. 4, 2023 against Marshall.
 
2024-25 Sun Belt Conference Men’s Basketball Players of the Week
Week 1 – Jackson Fields, Troy (Jr., F – Missouri City, Texas)
Week 2 – Nate Martin, Marshall (Sr., F – Houston, Texas)
Week 3 – Bryce Lindsay, James Madison (R-Fr., G – Baltimore, Md.)
Week 4 – Myles Corey, South Alabama (Gr., G – Ontario, Calif.)
Week 5 – Denijay Harris, Southern Miss (Gr., F – Columbus, Miss.)