For the first time this season, Valparaiso University freshman Donovan Clay (Alton, Ill. / Alton) has garnered a Missouri Valley Conference weekly honor as he was named the league’s Newcomer of the Week on Sunday evening.

This marked the fourth time Valpo has received an MVC weekly award this year and the team’s first Newcomer of the Week Award in 2019-20.

With leading scorer Javon Freeman-Liberty sidelined by an illness, Clay rose to the occasion on Tuesday night to lift Valpo to an 89-74 victory over Missouri State. He went 11-of-17 from the field for a career-high 22 points while leading the team in both points and rebounds (seven) against the Bears. The rookie followed that up by sharing the team lead in scoring in Saturday’s road setback at Indiana State, turning in 11 points and five boards. Clay averaged 16.5 points and 6.0 rebounds over the two games this week, leading the team in both areas.  

For the season, Clay is averaging 9.2 points per game and 4.5 rebounds per contest. He has finished in double figures 16 times during his rookie campaign and is one of two Valpo players who has appeared in all 31 games this year.

Valpo will face off with Evansville at 8:30 p.m. CT on Thursday night in the opening round of Arch Madness, the MVC Men’s Basketball Tournament in St. Louis. The game will be carried on the MVC TV Network with links to live coverage available on ValpoAthletics.com.