DALLAS – Louisiana Tech standout Kenneth Lofton, Jr., earned his second-straight weekly Conference USA honor as he was named the Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, the league announced on Monday. Additionally, Charlotte’s Aly Khalifa earned his second 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 who was named to the Naismith Trophy and Karl Malone Award watch list, averaged 23.0 points and 10.5 rebounds in the Bulldogs’ two victories over SWAC preseason favorite Texas Southern and on the road at Santa Clara who came in with wins against Stanford, Nevada and TCU. He had 15 points and seven rebounds against the Tigers before having to leave the game with 15 minutes left due to injury. Despite being a game-time decision to play at Santa Clara, he went for 31 points and 14 rebounds, becoming the only Division I player this season with two 30-point, 10-rebound performances. With the game tied at 66-66 with 2:30 to go, Junior scored LA Tech's next eight points to help seal the road win. He is the first LA Tech player to earn back-to-back league Player of the Week honors since Alex Hamilton in 2016 (Feb. 29 and March 7).
 
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
ALY KHALIFA, CHARLOTTE
FRESHMAN, F/C, 6-11, ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT
Khalifa averaged 14.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in Charlotte's contests against Davidson and George Washington. Against Davidson, Khalifa scored a season-high 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting and had a 3-of-5 mark from 3-point range. The Alexandria, Egypt native also pulled in six rebounds and dished out a pair of assists on the night. On Saturday against George Washington, Khalifa was one of four Niners to reach double-figures, scoring 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting. Khalifa also pulled in six more rebounds and dished out six assists with just two turnovers to help lead Charlotte to its fourth victory of the season. He is the first Charlotte player since Jahmir Young in 2020 to earn multiple C-USA Freshman of the Week honors.
 
2021 WINNERS
Player of the Week
N15      Dayvion McKnight, WKU
N22      Tevin Brewer, FIU
N29      Kenneth Lofton, Jr., LA Tech
D6        Kenneth Lofton, Jr., LA Tech
 
Freshman of the Week
N15      Aly Khalifa, Charlotte
N22      Taefale Lenard, Jr., Middle Tennessee
N29      Rashad Bolden, Southern Miss
D6        Aly Khalifa, Charlotte