Student Athlete of the Week: Chris Smith
By Amanda Scurlock, Sports Writer
Published December 24, 2020 (Copyright Don Liebig/ASUCLA)
UCLA senior guard, Chris Smith is never too proud to say that he still has room for growth. Last season, he led the team in scoring average and came in second in rebounding average. Currently, he comes in second on the team with 12.1 points and 6.7 rebounds per game while shooting at 44 percent in three-point shots.
In the Pac-12, Smith is sixth in defensive rebounds with 5.0 defensive rebounds per game. On December 1, he earned a spot on the John R. Wooden Awards Preseason Watch list.
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New Mexico State’s Rodrea Echols brings up the ball past press row on Saturday vs. Pepperdine in Malibu, Calif. (NMSU photo)
In Malibu, Calif., the host Pepperdine Waves (3-0) outscored New Mexico State 22-3 in the fourth quarter to erase an 11-point deficit and blow by the Aggies (1-4) 54-46 on Saturday afternoon.
Rodrea Echols’ 13 points led the Aggies, who were 1-of-14 from the field in the final period.
The Aggies were 5-of-10 on 3-point tries, outrebounded the Waves 39-36 and held the lead for 29 minutes and 44 seconds of a 40-minute contest.
With 15 points, Cheyenne Givens lead three Pepperdine players in double figures.
The spring schedules were set for a couple of Pepperdine Waves sports teams that normally take to the field in the fall.
Last week, the West Coast Conference slates for the Wavesâ womenâs volleyball and womenâs soccer teams were revealed by the conference. The volleyball teamâs first match is on Jan. 26 and the soccer teamâs first WCC contest is Feb. 20. Both squadâs seasons were delayed for months because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.Â
The volleyball team opens the season hosting San Francisco. The two teams will also square off the next day on the Wavesâ homecourt. In order to easily comply with COVID-19 testing protocols and benefit scheduling needs, the WCC teams will play the same team on back-to-back days.Â