Bell Jr. Captures SEC Player Of The Week Accolades
December 26, 2023 | Men's Basketball
by Matt Dunaway, Director/Communications
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – For his performance during Mississippi State's victory over Rutgers at the Gotham Classic, Jimmy Bell Jr. came away with SEC Player of the Week honors announced Tuesday by the conference office.
It marks Bell Jr.'s first career SEC weekly award. State has had at least one player secure the SEC's top weekly award in nine consecutive seasons. Tolu Smith was a two-time SEC Player of the Week last season.
"I can't imagine where we'd be without it [Bell Jr.'s production]," Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans said following Saturday's win over Rutgers. "Jimmy came in knowing that Tolu was coming back. He had a lot of confidence in himself. Certainly, no one could have predicted that he would be in this position with playing a bigger role and more minutes than he's used to. He's really gotten himself in really good shape. Certainly, we're all excited about the idea of Tolu rejoining this team, but I don't know where we'd be without him [Bell Jr.]."
Bell Jr. produced the SEC's first game of the season with 15+ points and 15+ rebounds against Rutgers en route to Gotham Classic Game MVP honors in New Jersey. The SEC's leading rebounder turned in a solid all-around effort with a season's best 17 points, hauled down a career-high 18 rebounds and equaled a career-best with three blocks. The 18 rebounds are the second-most by a SEC player this season, while the 17 points were his second-highest scoring output of his career.
Mississippi State is only SEC squad to capture four victories over Power 5 opponents on road/neutral floors and is joined by Florida Atlantic as the only two teams in the country to earn six neutral court wins this season.
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs return to Humphrey Coliseum for a New Years Eve afternoon matchup versus Bethune Cookman. Sunday's tip time is slated for 2 p.m. CT carried online only by SEC Network+ via the ESPN app.
Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on the men's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on its official social media accounts by searching 'HailStateMBK' on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – For his performance during Mississippi State's victory over Rutgers at the Gotham Classic, Jimmy Bell Jr. came away with SEC Player of the Week honors announced Tuesday by the conference office.
It marks Bell Jr.'s first career SEC weekly award. State has had at least one player secure the SEC's top weekly award in nine consecutive seasons. Tolu Smith was a two-time SEC Player of the Week last season.
"I can't imagine where we'd be without it [Bell Jr.'s production]," Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans said following Saturday's win over Rutgers. "Jimmy came in knowing that Tolu was coming back. He had a lot of confidence in himself. Certainly, no one could have predicted that he would be in this position with playing a bigger role and more minutes than he's used to. He's really gotten himself in really good shape. Certainly, we're all excited about the idea of Tolu rejoining this team, but I don't know where we'd be without him [Bell Jr.]."
Bell Jr. produced the SEC's first game of the season with 15+ points and 15+ rebounds against Rutgers en route to Gotham Classic Game MVP honors in New Jersey. The SEC's leading rebounder turned in a solid all-around effort with a season's best 17 points, hauled down a career-high 18 rebounds and equaled a career-best with three blocks. The 18 rebounds are the second-most by a SEC player this season, while the 17 points were his second-highest scoring output of his career.
Mississippi State is only SEC squad to capture four victories over Power 5 opponents on road/neutral floors and is joined by Florida Atlantic as the only two teams in the country to earn six neutral court wins this season.
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs return to Humphrey Coliseum for a New Years Eve afternoon matchup versus Bethune Cookman. Sunday's tip time is slated for 2 p.m. CT carried online only by SEC Network+ via the ESPN app.
Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on the men's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on its official social media accounts by searching 'HailStateMBK' on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballJosh Hubbard - "I'm Back"
Friday, April 17
MEN'S BASKETBALL | Chris Jans & Players SEC Tournament Postgame vs. Auburn - 3/11/26
Thursday, March 12
MEN'S BASKETBALL | Chris Jans Media Session - 3/9/26
Monday, March 09
MEN'S BASKETBALL | Josh Hubbard & Ja'Borri McGhee Postgame Press Conference vs. Georgia - 3/7/26
Sunday, March 08