Another Texas Southern newcomer voted best in the SWAC

Courtesy: SWAC.org

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Texas Southern University forward Jeremy Combs was named the 2018-19 Southwestern Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Player and Newcomer of the Year. The announcement comes as part of the league’s reveal of its 2018-19 all-conference teams and honorees.

2018-19 #SWACMBB all-conference teams announced
MORE: https://t.co/ckQ6Arz8pf pic.twitter.com/YtrtJYAzk6

— Southwestern Athletic Conference (@theswac) March 12, 2019

Prairie View A&M’s Dennis Jones won the Defensive Player of the Year honor, Jackson State’s Jayveous McKinnis earned Freshman of the Year accolades, and Prairie View A&M coach Byron Smith was named Coach of the Year. The teams and individual awards were voted on by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors.

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Combs was second in the league in points (16.9) per game, leading the SWAC in rebounds per game (9.0) and ranking near the top of the conference heap in field-goal percentage (.601). The Dallas, Texas native recorded 11 double-doubles on the season and earned player of the week honors five times.

Jones led the league in steals at 2.0 and served as a lynchpin of an aggressive Panthers defense that led the league in steals per game (8.6) and turnovers per game at (18.1).

2018-19 #SWACMBB Player and Newcomer of the Year: Jeremy Combs, @TSUMensHoops/@TXSOTigers
– Averaged 16.9 PPG (2nd in SWAC)
– Led league in rebounds per game (9.0) and double-doubles (11)
– Five-time SWAC Player of the Week pic.twitter.com/ZMquK1FUEv

— Southwestern Athletic Conference (@theswac) March 12, 2019

McKinnis averaged 8.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and a league-best 2.1 blocked shots per game for the league’s top ranked scoring defense. A first-team All-SWAC honoree at center, McKinnis shot a conference-best 67.3 percent from the field.

Smith guided the Panthers to their first regular-season championship since 2003, posting a 17-1 record in SWAC play (19-12 SWAC). PVAMU’s 19 wins are the most by the team in this decade. Prairie View A&M’s offense averaged more than 73 points per game, ranking second in the conference.

https://twitter.com/theswac/status/1105486627466604552

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The entire list of honorees and all-conference selections are listed below.

All-SWAC Men’s Basketball 1st Team:
G — Gary Blackston, Prairie View A&M
G — Martaveous McKnight, UAPB
F — Jeremy Combs, Texas Southern
F — Devonte Patterson, Prairie View A&M
C — Jayveous McKinnis, Jackson State

All-SWAC Men’s Basketball 2nd Team:
G — Ivy Smith Jr., Grambling State
G — Reginald Gee, Alabama State
F — Andre Kennedy, Alabama A&M
F — Chris Howell, Jackson State
C — Emmanuel Ejeh, Mississippi Valley State

Player of the Year/Newcomer of the Year:
Jeremy Combs, Texas Southern

Defensive Player of the Year:
Dennis Jones, Prairie View A&M

Coach of the Year:
Byron Smith, Prairie View A&M

Freshman of the Year:
Jayveous McKinnis, Jackson State