BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Lee men's basketball senior forward Quay Kennedy has landed on the Gulf South Conference First Team while guard PJay Smith was named the league's Freshman of the Year.

Kennedy is 12^th in the league in scoring at 14.6 points per game 13^th in rebounding with 5.9. He is third in free throw percentage (.847) and 10^th in blocks (24).  Kennedy also scored 39 points in a win at West Florida on Feb. 19.  Kennedy's 39 points are the most scored in a GSC game since 2019 and the most points a Lee basketball player has scored since moving to NCAA D2 in 2014.

"Quay was recognized by the coaches in the GSC as one of the top five players in the league. That's a special recognition," said Lee head coach Bubba Smith. "His play since Christmas has been some of his best basketball. Also, our team's success plays a huge part in any individual recognition or award."

This is Kennedy's second straight All-GSC honor. He was named the GSC East Player of the Year last season when the conference split into divisions due to scheduling limitations caused by the pandemic.

Smith was named the GSC Freshman of the Week six times this season and averages six points and 3.2 rebounds per conference while shooting 51 percent from the 3-point line. The LaVergne, Tenn. native is also a shutdown defender tasked with usually guarding the best scorer on the opposing team.

"PJay has had a great freshman year. Inserting him into our starting lineup has been a huge part of our team's success down the stretch of the season," added Smith. "His defensive presence has done just as much or more to our backcourt than his ability to score and handle the ball."

Kennedy, Smith and the Flames (18-8) have won five straight to close out the regular season and will enter the GSC Tournament on Tuesday night as the No. 3 seed. Lee will host West Florida at 8 p.m. in Walker Arena. The winner will advance to the GSC Semifinals on Saturday in Birmingham, Ala. at the Pete Hanna Center.