ROCK HILL, S.C. – Queens University of Charlotte men's basketball player
Jamari Smith has been named the South Atlantic Conference AstroTurf Player of the Week for the fourth time this season for his performance in the closing stretch of the regular season, as announced by the conference on Monday afternoon. Smith becomes the first player in program history to receive the honor four times in a season. The sophomore lifted Queens to a victory over Lenoir-Rhyne on Wednesday, 89-62, before dropping Wingate 80-63 to clinch the regular season conference title. The 2-0 week also extended the Royals winning streak to an impressive 12 games heading into the conference tournament beginning Wednesday afternoon.
The Royals forward scored 16 points and pulled down five rebounds with two steals and a block against the Bears. In the regular season cap, Smith posted a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds with an assist and a block versus the Bulldogs. For the week, the Jonesboro, Ga. native averaged 18 points with eight rebounds, a steal, an assist, and a block. Smith has earned nine double-doubles on the season increasing his career total to 14.
Throughout this season, Smith has provided a much needed surge on both ends of the floor as he shoots 52.3-percent from the floor, and 43.4-percent from deep, both marks have kept him in the Top five to 10 offensive players in the conference since Week One. He protects the paint for the Royals as well, ripping down 7.0 rebounds per game to go along with his team-leading 22 blocks on the year.
Smith is the only player in the league to be named the AstroTurf Player of the Week more than twice this season, and is just one of three guys in the league that have multiple honors. He is also only the second player to earn three or more nods in a single season in the past five years.
The Royals will look to continue their hot streak in the conference tournament quarterfinals when they welcome Catawba to Curry Arena on Wednesday, Mar. 2 at 7:00 p.m. Be sure to follow the Royals men's basketball program on
Twitter and
Instagram to stay up to date on all the latest news and updates surrounding the team. Fans are also encouraged to follow Queens Athletics on social media @QueensAthletics to follow all of the Royals sports in action.
2021-22 AstroTurf SAC Men's Basketball Players of the Week
Nov. 15 – Parker Dortch, Anderson
Nov. 22 – Jamari Smith, Queens
Nov. 29 – Jordan Guest, Lincoln Memorial
Dec. 6 – Jarren Cottingham, Wingate
Dec. 13 – Caleb Robinson, Catawba
Dec. 20 – Jamari Smith, Queens
Dec. 28 –
Gavin Rains, Queens
Jan. 3 – Jarren Cottingham, Wingate
Jan. 10 – Trenton Gibson, Tusculum
Jan. 17 – Luke Brenegan, Carson-Newman
Jan. 24 – Jamari Smith, Queens
Jan. 31 – Chase Rankin, Lincoln Memorial
Feb. 7 – Jay'Den Turner, Queens
Feb. 14 – Jordan Guest, Lincoln Memorial
Feb. 21 – TJ Nesmith, Lenoir-Rhyne
Feb. 28 – Jamari Smith, Queens
AstroTurf is an official corporate partner of the South Atlantic Conference and title sponsor of the Conference's Player of the Week awards program.
The Queens University of Charlotte Athletic Department has made updates to its fan policy for indoor sports as the COVID-19 climate continues to change.
Starting Monday, Feb. 21, Queens Athletics events held inside Curry Arena will be open to fans up to 50 percent capacity. There is no longer a restriction on the general public attending. Teams currently in season that this effect are men's and women's basketball and men's volleyball. Masks are required while indoors for attendance. Please
click here for the cost to attend events.
Social distancing and face coverings are required at all times.
Gates will open 30 minutes prior to the start of the scheduled event.
No tailgating is allowed on the premises.
Queens Athletics will continue to stream as many home events as possible on the Queens Sports Network. To keep up with the Royals from home, stream games live on your computer or mobile devices by visiting
www.queensathletic.com or downloading the Queens Royals app. Additionally, fans can download the Queens Athletics app on their Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire TV devices. Just type Queens University or Queens University Athletics into the search bar. Fans are also encouraged to follow Queens Athletics on all social media platforms by searching @QueensAthletics for updates.
This policy is subject to change at any time based on changes in the current climate.
