DALLAS – Louisiana Tech standout Kenneth Lofton, Jr., earned his first weekly Conference USA honor as he was named the Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, the league announced on Monday. Additionally, Southern Miss’ Rashad Bolden earned his first C-USA recognition as he was named the Freshman of the Week. 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
KENNETH LOFTON, JR., LOUISIANA TECH
FRESHMAN*, F, 6-7, PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS
Lofton, Jr., a second-year freshman, helped the Bulldogs to a 96-74 blowout win over rival ULM on Wednesday, the team's ninth-straight victory in the series. The Naismith Trophy and Karl Malone watch list selection set new season-highs for points (19) and (12) in recording another double-double. The forward turned around on Saturday and eclipsed those marks by far with an epic performance at NC State, recording a career-high 36 points (went 14-of-19 from the field), a career-high 17 rebounds and matching his career-high with four assists. He became the first player in Division I this season to register a 35-point, 15-rebound game and the first Bulldog to do so in at least 30 years. His 36 points was also the second most scored by a Bulldog over the last 20 years. Lofton, Jr. currently ranks in the top-six in the country in double-doubles, FT attempts, offensive rebounds per game and rebounds per game.
 
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
RASHAD BOLDEN, SOUTHERN MISS
FRESHMAN, G, 6-0, JACKSON, MISS.
Bolden's 29 points against UNC Wilmington was tied for the most by a freshman in Southern Miss history. Bolden shares the record with Bernard Haslett (1991) and Morris Wood (1977).   Bolden's .916 shooting clip ranks fourth all-time in single-game shooting percentages as he went 11-of-12 from the field. He knocked down five of his six three-point attempts. Bolden added seven points against Montana and also pulled down one rebound. Bolden is one of two true freshman nationally to score at least 29 points in a game this season. 
 
2021 WINNERS
Player of the Week
N15      Dayvion McKnight, WKU
N22      Tevin Brewer, FIU
N29      Kenneth Lofton, Jr., LA Tech
 
Freshman of the Week
N15      Aly Khalifa, Charlotte
N22      Taefale Lenard, Jr., Middle Tennessee
N29      Rashad Bolden, Southern Miss