MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The SSAC announced the 2026-27 SSAC Women’s Basketball Players of the Week. Faulkner swept the awards this week with Ruthie Smith taking Offensive Player of the Week and Sydney Steward winning Defensive Player of the Week. The awards are for the week of October 26-November 1.
Offensive: Ruthie Smith (Faulkner – SR – F – Rogersville, Ala.)
- This is her seventh career weekly honor and her third career Offensive Player of the Week honor
- Smith averaged 21.0 points per game, scoring 23 in an upset win over top-ranked Marian
- She shot 53.6 percent from the floor and 55.6 percent from distance, scoring 19 in Saturday's win over LSU Alexandria
Defensive: Sydney Steward (Faulkner – JR – G – Hazel Green, Ala.)
- This is her second career weekly honor and first Defensive Player of the Week honor
- Steward had a career-high five steals in the win over No. 1 Marian, adding seven defensive boards and eight assists in the win
- She averaged 4.5 steals per game and 6.5 defensive rebounds per game on the week
Previous Winners (Offensive, Defensive)
Week 1: Faith Robinson (Xavier), Faith Robinson (Xavier)