DALLAS – WKU sophomore Dayvion McKnight earned Conference USA Player of the Week honors following a strong start to the season across three games, while Charlotte’s Aly Khalifa took home Freshman of the Week honors with an impressive debut across two appearances for the 49ers. The 2021 C-USA Players of the Week awards are presented by Surf & Turf Golf and are voted on by the league’s men’s basketball communications directors.
 
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
DAYVION MCKNIGHT, WKU
SOPHOMORE, G, 6-1, 195, SHELBYVILLE, KENTUCKY
Through three contests in the first week of the season, McKnight is averaging 21.3 points per contest after games where he posted 19 (Alabama State), 34 (Minnesota) and 11 (South Carolina) points. His stat line of 34 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four steals against Minnesota on Nov. 12, was only the 13th time that line has occurred in Division I men's basketball since 2010. He has also dished out 15 total assists (5.0 apg) across the three contests. In that same game against Minnesota, he shot 10-of-16 from the floor and 13-of-14 from the charity stripe. Against SEC foe South Carolina, he finished with 11 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals.
 
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
ALY KHALIFA, CHARLOTTE
FRESHMAN, C, 6-11, 230, ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT
Khalifa was impressive in his first two appearances for Charlotte, averaging 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and a pair of assists in the 49ers’ victories over Monmouth and USC Upstate this week. Against Monmouth, Khalifa scored 11 points and pulled down five boards, while finishing 7-of-8 from the foul line to help Charlotte capture a 68-66 victory.
 
2021 WINNERS
Player of the Week
N15      Dayvion McKnight, WKU
 
Freshman of the Week
N15      Aly Khalifa, Charlotte