DALLAS, Texas – FIU men's basketball's Denver Jones and Arturo Dean earned Conference USA Men's Basketball weekly honors the league office announced on Monday, as Jones was named the C-USA's Player of the Week while Dean was named the C-USA Freshman of the Week presented by Blenders Eyewear.
 
Jones and Dean averaged 24.5 points and 15.5 points per game, respectively, last week to lift FIU to its first two C-USA victories with home wins over Charlotte and reigning league champion UAB inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center – marking the Panthers' first wins against the two programs since 2020.
 
Denver Jones, a sophomore guard from New Market, Ala., has tallied four straight 20-point outings after last week's performances, leading the Panthers with game-highs of 20 points and eight rebounds, in addition to three assists, in FIU's 62-60 win over Charlotte last Thursday (Jan. 5) prior to recording a new career-high of 29 points to help lift FIU to a 90-87 overtime victory over UAB on Saturday (Jan. 9). Jones went a career-best 11-for-11 at the charity stripe against the Blazers, while adding five rebounds, four assists and three steals in 41 minutes of action.
 
Arturo Dean, a native of Miami, earned his first career C-USA weekly honor after notching his 10^th game in double figures through his first 15 games as a Panther, tallying 15 points en route to Thursday's win over the Niners, followed by a 16-point performance to help spark FIU's massive win over UAB on Saturday. Dean was pivotal down the stretch in FIU's win over UAB, giving the Panthers the go-ahead basket with under a minute left in regulation and hitting the game-tying 3-pointer in overtime at 87-87 prior to corralling the steal on the final possession that led to FIU's game-winning layup with 1.2 seconds left on the clock. Additionally, he tallied four rebounds, assists and steals apiece in 36 minutes played. The freshman has thrived for the Panthers this season, averaging 12.3 ppg – good for second on the squad.
 
Overall, Jones ranks second amongst the Conference USA in points per game (19.2) and field goal percentage (53.5%), while Dean ranks third in the C-USA in field goal percentage (48.5%), steals (32) and steals per game (2.1).
 
UP NEXT
FIU welcomes FAU inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center on Wednesday, Jan. 11, for a 7:30 p.m. matchup to be broadcast on ESPN+.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram (@FIUHoops), Twitter (@FIUHoops), and Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUMensBball) for all the latest Men's Basketball news.
 
General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.