ROCK HILL, S.C. – Carson-Newman center Bryant Thomas (Charlotte, N.C.) started his senior campaign with a bang and has brought in his second weekly award in three days.
The Tennessee Sportswriters' Association has picked Thomas as the state player of the week, two days after he was named the SAC's player of the week.
Thomas averaged 24 points, seven rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks as Carson-Newman went 1-1 on the opening weekend with a 86-74 win over King and a 73-70 buzzer-beating loss to Lees-McRae.
The reigning SAC Defensive Player of the Year tallied back-to-back 20-point games, doubling up his career total of 20-point outings in one weekend.
He started the weekend with his eighth career double-double. He dropped a career-high 28 points on 11-of-14 shooting against Lees-McRae and added in 10 boards and three blocks.
Thomas followed that up with 20 points against King. Thomas was 7-for-11 from the field against the Tornado. He also had four rebounds and two steals.
The senior is Carson-Newman's first SAC Player of the Week since Luke Brenegan was recognized on Jan. 17, 2022. He is the first Eagle named TSWA player of the week since Tripp Davis was selected Feb. 25, 2021.
Thomas and the rest of the Eagles are in action on Nov. 19 to open the doors to Holt Fieldhouse at 2 p.m. against Southern Wesleyan. Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network begins at 1:45 with the AEC Countdown to Tipoff on Mountain Talk 106.3 (WPFT-FM, Sevierville).
