John Zhao

22 John Zhao
John Zhao
  • Height:
    6-4
  • Weight:
    180
  • Hometown:
    Sevierville, Tenn.
  • Position:
    G
  • Year:
    Junior
  • High School:
    Sevier County
  • gp
    30
  • pts/g
    19.1
  • fg %
    61.5
  • 3pt %
    52.5
  • ft %
    82.1
  • reb/g
    5.0
  • a/g
    1.8
Bio

2023-24: Zhao has been recognized by both the D2CCA and NABC with second-team all-region honors.  He, LMU center Martez Brown and Wingate guard Donnell Nixon are the only players from the South Atlantic Conference to appear on both D2CCA and NABC all-region squads.   Zhao is C-N's first all-region honoree since Charles Clark earned a third all-region honor in 2017-18.  Carson-Newman produced an all-region honoree every year from 2013-18. Zhao nets the eighth regional accolade for head coach Chuck Benson.  The Sevier County product joins Charles Clark (three times), Antoine Davis (twice), Ish Sanders and Carson Brooks as Eagles to have earned all-region honors under Benson's guidance.  Zhao turned in the most efficient effort in the SAC this season.  He finished fifth in the league in scoring at 19.1 points per game while averaging 61.5 percent shooting from the field and 52.5 percent shooting from three. He ranks 10th nationally in efficiency and second in the league, while topping the conference in three-point efficiency. Zhao leads the nation in three-point efficiency.  He resets the program's single-season record for three-point efficiency with his 52.5 percent mark.  Zhao finishes the year with 84 threes made tied for the sixth-most in a single season in school history. He is one of four players in NCAA Division II history to shoot 52 percent or better from three for a season with at least 80 triples made in a year. He tallied five weekly honors on the year, two from the league and three from the Tennessee Sportswriters Association.  Zhao won honors from the TSWA on Feb. 13, Jan. 29 and Dec. 18.  Over a six-game stretch following a loss to Wingate on Jan. 20, Zhao averaged 27.33 points per game. That camee with some stupefying efficiency.  He had a 67.9/61.3/84.4 slash line.  He was 27-of-44 from deep in that stretch, an average of 4.5 threes per game. He had his  first-career double-double, with a 23-point, 10-rebound night in the win at Mars Hill on Feb. 9. Zhao has scored in double digits in 26 games this season with 16, 20-point efforts and five, 30-point games. He has the most 30-point games in a season by an Eagle since Charles Clarks' six in his SAC Player of the Year campaign in 2016-17. 

HONORS

  • CSC Academic All-America Second Team 
  • D2CCA All-Region Second Team 
  • NABC All-Region Second Team 
  • CSC Academic All-District
  • NABC Honors Court 
  • D2ADA Academic Achievement Award 
  • SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll
  • All-SAC Second Team 
  • SAC Player of the Week (12/18, 1/30)
  • TSWA Player of the Week (12/18, 1/30)

2022-23: A CSC Academic All-District selection, Zhao has continued his sharp-shooting ways from his freshman campaign, averaging 6.6 points per game while knocking down 40 threes this season. He is shooting 37 percent from deep. Zhao has a pair of 20-point games this season and seven double-digit scoring efforts. He went off for 20 against Southern Wesleyan on the strength of four threes on Nov. 19 and a career-high 21 against Mars Hill on Dec. 14 behind 5-of-10 shooting from three.  He averaged 1.9 rebounds per game.  He had six games this season where he converted at least three triples.  

HONORS

  • CSC Academic All-District

2021-22: A reserve small forward in his freshman season at Carson-Newman, John Zhao established himself as a three-point marksman early.  Zhao connectd on 27-of-65 triples on the year (41.5 percent).  He made a splash in his third career game, exploding for 18 against No. 11 Queens (11/20) in a tight loss.  he canned 6-of-8 triples against the Royals.  Zhao also produced a double-digit scoring effort against Anderson (12/4) when he scored 10 against the Trojans.   He also had a career-best four rebounds against the Trojans (1/24) on the road.  He dished out three assists against Wingate (11/27).  

HIGH SCHOOL: A 6-4, 180-pound guard who played for Ken Wright at Sevier County High School. Zhao was a member of the 2020 All-District and All-Tournament teams.  He helped the Smoky Bears to a pair of district tournament titles as well as a regional and sub-state title in 2019.  He was named the District 2-AAA Player of the Year and the IMAC Player of the Year as a senior. He earned 5Star Preps Player of the Week honors after scoring 40 points on eight made threes in a win over Fulton. Zhao averaged 23.5 points per game as a senior to go along with six boards, three assists and two steals per game.  He finished his high school career 20 points shy of 1,000.  He was selected to the BCAT All-Star Game.  He also ran track and field for the Smoky Bears and completed his high school career with a 4.0 GPA. 

PERSONAL: The son of Richard May and Mary Zhao, he plans to study finance at Carson-Newman. 

Player statistics
  Overall Conference
Games 30 20
Games started 30 20
Minutes 850 590
Minutes per game 28.3 29.5
FG 206-335 139-230
FG Pct 61.5 60.4
3PT 84-160 56-114
3PT Pct 52.5 49.1
FT 78-95 55-71
FT Pct 82.1 77.5
Off rebounds 33 21
Def rebounds 116 86
Total rebounds 149 107
Rebounds per game 5.0 5.3
Personal fouls 51 36
Disqualifications 2 2
Assists 55 40
Turnovers 53 41
Assist to turnover ratio 1.0 1.0
Steals 16 8
Blocks 7 6
Points 574 389
Points per game 19.1 19.4
Points per 40.0 min 27.0 26.4
Recent results
Recent Games
Date Opponent Result
Feb 17 Anderson (S.C.) W, 103-101
Feb 21 at Virginia-Wise W, 94-83
Feb 24 at Limestone L, 79-72
Mar 2 Mars Hill W, 109-99
Mar 6 vs. Tusculum W, 68-60
Mar 7 vs. Lincoln Memorial L, 70-65
Game Log - Shooting
Game Log - Ball control extended
Date Opponent Score gs min fg pct 3pt pct ft pct pts
Nov 11 vs. Lees-McRae W, 101-77 1 20 10-12 83.3 5-6 83.3 3-3 100.0 28
Nov 12 vs. King (Tenn.) W, 74-72 1 31 4-10 40.0 0-1 0.0 2-2 100.0 10
Nov 18 Southern Wesleyan W, 108-78 1 25 9-11 81.8 3-4 75.0 2-2 100.0 23
Nov 25 at Lander L, 81-72 1 20 1-3 33.3 1-1 100.0 4-4 100.0 7
Nov 27 Milligan College W, 111-60 1 23 11-15 73.3 4-5 80.0 5-6 83.3 31
Dec 2 Clayton St. W, 108-81 1 22 9-12 75.0 3-4 75.0 3-3 100.0 24
Dec 9 Limestone L, 85-77 1 28 8-14 57.1 1-3 33.3 0-1 0.0 17
Dec 13 at Tusculum W, 83-73 1 30 6-10 60.0 0-3 0.0 11-12 91.7 23
Dec 16 at Anderson (S.C.) W, 94-81 1 30 8-11 72.7 3-4 75.0 2-2 100.0 21
Dec 19 Tenn. Wesleyan W, 107-83 1 29 6-11 54.5 3-7 42.9 1-1 100.0 16
Dec 30 Belmont Abbey W, 98-87 1 32 7-12 58.3 4-8 50.0 2-2 100.0 20
Jan 3 at #22 Lincoln Memorial L, 83-64 1 21 4-9 44.4 1-5 20.0 2-2 100.0 11
Jan 6 Newberry W, 103-51 1 32 4-11 36.4 4-11 36.4 2-2 100.0 14
Jan 10 Emory & Henry W, 105-77 1 28 5-6 83.3 1-2 50.0 2-3 66.7 13
Jan 13 at Lenoir-Rhyne W, 72-63 1 35 9-17 52.9 3-9 33.3 1-4 25.0 22
Jan 18 Virginia-Wise W, 109-72 1 28 6-10 60.0 4-7 57.1 5-5 100.0 21
Jan 20 at RV Wingate L, 84-83 1 21 3-4 75.0 2-2 100.0 0-0 - 8
Jan 24 at Emory & Henry W, 106-99 1 38 15-17 88.2 8-9 88.9 0-0 - 38
Jan 27 Coker W, 120-81 1 25 11-14 78.6 2-4 50.0 2-2 100.0 26
Jan 31 RV Lincoln Memorial W, 91-82 1 37 7-13 53.8 3-6 50.0 16-19 84.2 33
Feb 3 at Catawba L, 87-68 1 34 3-10 30.0 3-9 33.3 2-2 100.0 11
Feb 7 at Mars Hill W, 99-72 1 29 8-12 66.7 4-6 66.7 3-3 100.0 23
Feb 10 Lenoir-Rhyne W, 91-73 1 31 11-15 73.3 7-10 70.0 4-6 66.7 33
Feb 14 Tusculum L, 84-81 1 32 2-9 22.2 2-5 40.0 1-2 50.0 7
Feb 17 Anderson (S.C.) W, 103-101 1 15 2-3 66.7 0-1 0.0 0-0 - 4
Feb 21 at Virginia-Wise W, 94-83 1 27 6-13 46.2 1-6 16.7 1-2 50.0 14
Feb 24 at Limestone L, 79-72 1 36 9-17 52.9 2-6 33.3 0-2 0.0 20
Mar 2 Mars Hill W, 109-99 1 33 12-15 80.0 5-6 83.3 1-2 50.0 30
Mar 6 vs. Tusculum W, 68-60 1 28 6-10 60.0 4-5 80.0 0-0 - 16
Mar 7 vs. Lincoln Memorial L, 70-65 1 30 4-9 44.4 1-5 20.0 1-1 100.0 10
Game Log - Ball control
Game Log - Ball control extended
Date Opponent Score gs min off def reb ast to stl blk
Nov 11 vs. Lees-McRae W, 101-77 1 20 1 2 3 3 1 1 0
Nov 12 vs. King (Tenn.) W, 74-72 1 31 1 4 5 2 1 0 0
Nov 18 Southern Wesleyan W, 108-78 1 25 3 4 7 2 0 0 0
Nov 25 at Lander L, 81-72 1 20 2 1 3 0 0 1 0
Nov 27 Milligan College W, 111-60 1 23 1 4 5 2 1 2 1
Dec 2 Clayton St. W, 108-81 1 22 1 5 6 1 2 0 0
Dec 9 Limestone L, 85-77 1 28 0 3 3 3 2 0 0
Dec 13 at Tusculum W, 83-73 1 30 1 5 6 1 4 2 1
Dec 16 at Anderson (S.C.) W, 94-81 1 30 1 5 6 0 1 1 0
Dec 19 Tenn. Wesleyan W, 107-83 1 29 1 5 6 1 1 0 0
Dec 30 Belmont Abbey W, 98-87 1 32 2 2 4 1 1 1 0
Jan 3 at #22 Lincoln Memorial L, 83-64 1 21 1 1 2 1 3 0 1
Jan 6 Newberry W, 103-51 1 32 1 5 6 6 2 0 1
Jan 10 Emory & Henry W, 105-77 1 28 1 2 3 1 1 1 0
Jan 13 at Lenoir-Rhyne W, 72-63 1 35 2 5 7 1 2 0 1
Jan 18 Virginia-Wise W, 109-72 1 28 1 3 4 5 1 1 0
Jan 20 at RV Wingate L, 84-83 1 21 0 1 1 2 2 0 0
Jan 24 at Emory & Henry W, 106-99 1 38 0 4 4 1 3 0 1
Jan 27 Coker W, 120-81 1 25 2 5 7 3 2 0 1
Jan 31 RV Lincoln Memorial W, 91-82 1 37 0 6 6 3 0 1 0
Feb 3 at Catawba L, 87-68 1 34 0 5 5 0 4 0 0
Feb 7 at Mars Hill W, 99-72 1 29 4 6 10 3 2 0 0
Feb 10 Lenoir-Rhyne W, 91-73 1 31 0 8 8 2 1 1 0
Feb 14 Tusculum L, 84-81 1 32 0 10 10 0 3 1 0
Feb 17 Anderson (S.C.) W, 103-101 1 15 1 2 3 1 3 0 0
Feb 21 at Virginia-Wise W, 94-83 1 27 1 2 3 1 2 0 0
Feb 24 at Limestone L, 79-72 1 36 2 4 6 0 2 0 0
Mar 2 Mars Hill W, 109-99 1 33 3 4 7 6 1 0 0
Mar 6 vs. Tusculum W, 68-60 1 28 0 3 3 1 2 3 0
Mar 7 vs. Lincoln Memorial L, 70-65 1 30 0 0 0 2 3 0 0
Game Log - Ball control extended
Game Log - Ball control extended
Date Opponent Score gs pf dq a/to
Nov 11 vs. Lees-McRae W, 101-77 1 2 - 3.0
Nov 12 vs. King (Tenn.) W, 74-72 1 2 - 2.0
Nov 18 Southern Wesleyan W, 108-78 1 1 - -
Nov 25 at Lander L, 81-72 1 1 - -
Nov 27 Milligan College W, 111-60 1 1 - 2.0
Dec 2 Clayton St. W, 108-81 1 1 - 0.5
Dec 9 Limestone L, 85-77 1 1 - 1.5
Dec 13 at Tusculum W, 83-73 1 2 - 0.3
Dec 16 at Anderson (S.C.) W, 94-81 1 3 - 0.0
Dec 19 Tenn. Wesleyan W, 107-83 1 1 - 1.0
Dec 30 Belmont Abbey W, 98-87 1 1 - 1.0
Jan 3 at #22 Lincoln Memorial L, 83-64 1 5 1 0.3
Jan 6 Newberry W, 103-51 1 0 - 3.0
Jan 10 Emory & Henry W, 105-77 1 2 - 1.0
Jan 13 at Lenoir-Rhyne W, 72-63 1 0 - 0.5
Jan 18 Virginia-Wise W, 109-72 1 0 - 5.0
Jan 20 at RV Wingate L, 84-83 1 1 - 1.0
Jan 24 at Emory & Henry W, 106-99 1 3 - 0.3
Jan 27 Coker W, 120-81 1 1 - 1.5
Jan 31 RV Lincoln Memorial W, 91-82 1 2 - -
Feb 3 at Catawba L, 87-68 1 1 - 0.0
Feb 7 at Mars Hill W, 99-72 1 2 - 1.5
Feb 10 Lenoir-Rhyne W, 91-73 1 0 - 2.0
Feb 14 Tusculum L, 84-81 1 1 - 0.0
Feb 17 Anderson (S.C.) W, 103-101 1 5 1 0.3
Feb 21 at Virginia-Wise W, 94-83 1 4 - 0.5
Feb 24 at Limestone L, 79-72 1 1 - 0.0
Mar 2 Mars Hill W, 109-99 1 2 - 6.0
Mar 6 vs. Tusculum W, 68-60 1 4 - 0.5
Mar 7 vs. Lincoln Memorial L, 70-65 1 1 - 0.7
Career Stats - Shooting per game
Statistic gp min/g fg/g 3pt/g ft/g ppg
2021-22 27 12.2 1.4-3.4 1.0-2.4 0.2-0.3 4.0
2022-23 28 16.7 2.2-5.5 1.4-3.9 0.8-0.9 6.6
2023-24 30 28.3 6.9-11.2 2.8-5.3 2.6-3.2 19.1
2024-25 30 33.7 6.4-12.2 2.8-6.2 2.7-3.2 18.4
Total 115 23.1 4.3-8.2 2.1-4.5 1.6-2.0 12.3
Career Stats - Shooting totals
Statistic gp gs min fg pct 3pt pct ft pct pts
2021-22 27 - 329 37-92 40.2 27-65 41.5 6-9 66.7 107
2022-23 28 1 468 61-153 39.9 40-108 37.0 22-26 84.6 184
2023-24 30 30 850 206-335 61.5 84-160 52.5 78-95 82.1 574
2024-25 30 30 1011 193-367 52.6 85-186 45.7 82-96 85.4 553
Total 115 61 2658 497-947 52.5 236-519 45.5 188-226 83.2 1418
Career Stats - Shooting per 40 min
Statistic gp min min/g fg/40 3pt/40 pct ft/40 pts/40
2021-22 27 329 12.2 0.0-0.0 0.0-0.0 41.5 0.0-0.0 0.0
2022-23 28 468 16.7 5.2-13.1 3.4-9.2 37.0 1.9-2.2 15.7
2023-24 30 850 28.3 9.7-15.8 4.0-7.5 52.5 3.7-4.5 27.0
2024-25 30 1011 33.7 7.6-14.5 3.4-7.4 45.7 3.2-3.8 21.9
Total 115 2658 23.1 7.5-14.3 3.6-7.8 45.5 2.8-3.4 21.3
Career Stats - Ball control per game
Statistic gp off/g def/g reb/g ast/g to/g stl/g blk/g
2021-22 27 0.3 0.6 1.0 0.6 0.5 0.3 0.0
2022-23 28 0.4 1.5 1.9 0.9 0.8 0.3 0.3
2023-24 30 1.1 3.9 5.0 1.8 1.8 0.5 0.2
2024-25 30 0.5 4.4 4.9 1.0 1.5 0.5 0.3
Total 115 0.6 2.7 3.3 1.1 1.2 0.4 0.2
Career Stats - Ball control totals
Statistic gp gs off def reb ast to stl blk
2021-22 27 - 9 17 26 15 14 8 1
2022-23 28 1 10 43 53 24 21 8 7
2023-24 30 30 33 116 149 55 53 16 7
2024-25 30 30 15 133 148 29 45 16 8
Total 115 61 67 309 376 123 133 48 23
Career Stats - Ball control per 40 min
Statistic gp off/40 def/40 reb/40 ast/40 to/40 stl/40 blk/40
2021-22 27 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2022-23 28 0.9 3.7 4.5 2.1 1.8 0.7 0.6
2023-24 30 1.6 5.5 7.0 2.6 2.5 0.8 0.3
2024-25 30 0.6 5.3 5.9 1.1 1.8 0.6 0.3
Total 115 1.0 4.7 5.7 1.9 2.0 0.7 0.3
Split Stats - Shooting per game
Statistic gp min/g fg/g 3pt/g ft/g ppg
Event
Total 30 28.3 6.9-11.2 2.8-5.3 2.6-3.2 19.1
Conference 20 29.5 7.0-11.5 2.8-5.7 2.8-3.5 19.4
Exhibition - - 0.0-0.0 0.0-0.0 0.0-0.0 -
Location
Home 15 28.0 7.3-11.4 3.1-5.5 3.1-3.7 20.8
Away 11 29.2 6.5-11.2 2.5-5.5 2.4-3.0 18.0
Neutral 4 27.3 6.0-10.2 2.5-4.2 1.5-1.5 16.0
Result
Wins 22 28.5 7.8-11.8 3.2-5.6 3.1-3.7 22.0
Losses 8 27.8 4.2-9.4 1.6-4.5 1.2-1.8 11.4
Month
November 5 23.8 7.0-10.2 2.6-3.4 3.2-3.4 19.8
December 6 28.5 7.3-11.7 2.3-4.8 3.2-3.5 20.2
January 9 29.4 7.1-11.2 3.1-6.1 3.3-4.1 20.7
February 7 29.1 5.9-11.3 2.7-6.1 1.6-2.4 16.0
March 3 30.3 7.3-11.3 3.3-5.3 0.7-1.0 18.7
Split Stats - Shooting totals
Statistic gp gs min fg pct 3pt pct ft pct pts
Event
Total 30 30 850 206-335 61.5 84-160 52.5 78-95 82.1 574
Conference 20 20 590 139-230 60.4 56-114 49.1 55-71 77.5 389
Exhibition - - - 0-0 - 0-0 - 0-0 - 0
Location
Home 15 15 420 110-171 64.3 46-83 55.4 46-56 82.1 312
Away 11 11 321 72-123 58.5 28-60 46.7 26-33 78.8 198
Neutral 4 4 109 24-41 58.5 10-17 58.8 6-6 100.0 64
Result
Wins 22 22 628 172-260 66.2 71-124 57.3 68-81 84.0 483
Losses 8 8 222 34-75 45.3 13-36 36.1 10-14 71.4 91
Month
November 5 5 119 35-51 68.6 13-17 76.5 16-17 94.1 99
December 6 6 171 44-70 62.9 14-29 48.3 19-21 90.5 121
January 9 9 265 64-101 63.4 28-55 50.9 30-37 81.1 186
February 7 7 204 41-79 51.9 19-43 44.2 11-17 64.7 112
March 3 3 91 22-34 64.7 10-16 62.5 2-3 66.7 56
Split Stats - Shooting per 40 min
Statistic gp min min/g fg/40 3pt/40 pct ft/40 pts/40
Event
Total 30 850 28.3 9.7-15.8 4.0-7.5 52.5 3.7-4.5 27.0
Conference 20 590 29.5 9.4-15.6 3.8-7.7 49.1 3.7-4.8 26.4
Exhibition - - - 0.0-0.0 0.0-0.0 - 0.0-0.0 -
Location
Home 15 420 28.0 10.5-16.3 4.4-7.9 55.4 4.4-5.3 29.7
Away 11 321 29.2 9.0-15.3 3.5-7.5 46.7 3.2-4.1 24.7
Neutral 4 109 27.3 8.8-15.0 3.7-6.2 58.8 2.2-2.2 23.5
Result
Wins 22 628 28.5 11.0-16.6 4.5-7.9 57.3 4.3-5.2 30.8
Losses 8 222 27.8 6.1-13.5 2.3-6.5 36.1 1.8-2.5 16.4
Month
November 5 119 23.8 11.8-17.1 4.4-5.7 76.5 5.4-5.7 33.3
December 6 171 28.5 10.3-16.4 3.3-6.8 48.3 4.4-4.9 28.3
January 9 265 29.4 9.7-15.2 4.2-8.3 50.9 4.5-5.6 28.1
February 7 204 29.1 8.0-15.5 3.7-8.4 44.2 2.2-3.3 22.0
March 3 91 30.3 9.7-14.9 4.4-7.0 62.5 0.9-1.3 24.6
Split Stats - Ball control per game
Statistic gp off/g def/g reb/g ast/g to/g stl/g blk/g
Event
Total 30 1.1 3.9 5.0 1.8 1.8 0.5 0.2
Conference 20 1.1 4.3 5.3 2.0 2.0 0.4 0.3
Exhibition - - - - - - - -
Location
Home 15 1.1 4.5 5.7 2.5 1.4 0.5 0.2
Away 11 1.3 3.5 4.8 0.9 2.3 0.4 0.4
Neutral 4 0.5 2.3 2.8 2.0 1.8 1.0 0.0
Result
Wins 22 1.3 4.1 5.4 2.1 1.5 0.6 0.3
Losses 8 0.6 3.1 3.8 1.0 2.4 0.3 0.1
Month
November 5 1.6 3.0 4.6 1.8 0.6 0.8 0.2
December 6 1.0 4.2 5.2 1.2 1.8 0.7 0.2
January 9 0.9 3.6 4.4 2.6 1.8 0.3 0.6
February 7 1.1 5.3 6.4 1.0 2.4 0.3 0.0
March 3 1.0 2.3 3.3 3.0 2.0 1.0 0.0
Split Stats - Ball control totals
Statistic gp gs off def reb ast to stl blk
Event
Total 30 30 33 116 149 55 53 16 7
Conference 20 20 21 86 107 40 41 8 6
Exhibition - - - - - - - - -
Location
Home 15 15 17 68 85 37 21 8 3
Away 11 11 14 39 53 10 25 4 4
Neutral 4 4 2 9 11 8 7 4 0
Result
Wins 22 22 28 91 119 47 34 14 6
Losses 8 8 5 25 30 8 19 2 1
Month
November 5 5 8 15 23 9 3 4 1
December 6 6 6 25 31 7 11 4 1
January 9 9 8 32 40 23 16 3 5
February 7 7 8 37 45 7 17 2 0
March 3 3 3 7 10 9 6 3 0
Split Stats - Ball control per 40 min
Statistic gp off/40 def/40 reb/40 ast/40 to/40 stl/40 blk/40
Event
Total 30 1.6 5.5 7.0 2.6 2.5 0.8 0.3
Conference 20 1.4 5.8 7.3 2.7 2.8 0.5 0.4
Exhibition - - - - - - - -
Location
Home 15 1.6 6.5 8.1 3.5 2.0 0.8 0.3
Away 11 1.7 4.9 6.6 1.2 3.1 0.5 0.5
Neutral 4 0.7 3.3 4.0 2.9 2.6 1.5 0.0
Result
Wins 22 1.8 5.8 7.6 3.0 2.2 0.9 0.4
Losses 8 0.9 4.5 5.4 1.4 3.4 0.4 0.2
Month
November 5 2.7 5.0 7.7 3.0 1.0 1.3 0.3
December 6 1.4 5.8 7.3 1.6 2.6 0.9 0.2
January 9 1.2 4.8 6.0 3.5 2.4 0.5 0.8
February 7 1.6 7.3 8.8 1.4 3.3 0.4 0.0
March 3 1.3 3.1 4.4 4.0 2.6 1.3 0.0
News mentions
Browder, Zhao named CSC Academic All-Americans
Browder, Zhao named CSC Academic All-Americans

AUSTIN, Texas – For the first time in the history of the Carson-Newman men’s basketball program, an Eagle has been named an Academic All-American by the College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA), the organization announced Wednesday afternoon. 

Trio of Eagles takes home CSC Academic All-District honors
Trio of Eagles takes home CSC Academic All-District honors

ORLANDO – For a second straight year, Carson-Newman’s men’s basketball program has had multiple players lauded with a spot on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team, the organization announced Tuesday afternoon. 

Consensus all-region status bestowed upon Zhao
Consensus all-region status bestowed upon Zhao

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Carson-Newman junior forward John Zhao (Sevierville, Tenn.) has picked up second-team all-region honors from the NABC, the organization announced Monday morning. 

Zhao earns D2CCA All-Region honors
Zhao earns D2CCA All-Region honors

GREENVILLE, S.C. – For the first time in six years, Carson-Newman’s men’s basketball program has produced an all-region player.

C-N’s tourney run comes to a close in SAC semis against the ‘Splitters
C-N’s tourney run comes to a close in SAC semis against the ‘Splitters

ROCK HILL, S.C. – A 9-2 second half run by top-seeded Lincoln Memorial (24-7) was enough to propel the Railsplitters into the lead and past fourth-seeded Carson-Newman (22-8) Thursday evening at the Rock Hill Sports & Events Center. 

Browder’s big second half, defense carry C-N into SAC semis
Browder’s big second half, defense carry C-N into SAC semis

ROCK HILL, S.C. – Fourth-seeded Carson-Newman (22-7) got 18 second-half points from third team All-SAC forward Jack Browder (Kingsport, Tenn.) and held Tusculum (14-13) to 33 percent shooting after halftime en route to a 68-60 win the South Atlantic Conference tournament quarterfinals Wednesday evening at the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center. 

C-N begins SAC tournament foray with Tusculum
C-N begins SAC tournament foray with Tusculum

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Fourth-seeded Carson-Newman (21-7) opens up play in the South Atlantic Conference Men’s Basketball tournament against fifth-seeded Tusculum (14-12) Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center. 

Eagle trio earns All-SAC honors
Eagle trio earns All-SAC honors

ROCK HILL, S.C. – The triumvirate of John Zhao (Sevierville, Tenn.), Nick Brenegan (Greenville, S.C.) and Jack Browder (Kingsport, Tenn.) has earned All-South Atlantic Conference accolades, the league office announced Monday morning. 

C-N withstands MHU long-distance barrage, holds serve on senior day
C-N withstands MHU long-distance barrage, holds serve on senior day

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (21-7, 14-6 South Atlantic Conference) built a 25-point halftime lead, but had to withstand a withering three-point shooting effort from Mars Hill (3-24, 2-18 SAC) to collect a 109-99 win over the Lions on senior day in Holt Fieldhouse.

C-N to honor three seniors Saturday against Mars Hill
C-N to honor three seniors Saturday against Mars Hill

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (20-7, 13-6 South Atlantic Conference) closes out the regular season against Mars Hill (3-23, 2-17 SAC) Saturday at 4 p.m. from Holt Fieldhouse. 

Saints stiff-arm C-N
Saints stiff-arm C-N

GAFFNEY, S.C. – Carson-Newman (20-7, 13-6 South Atlantic Conference) rallied from a nine-point second half deficit to grab a lead, but Limestone (12-15, 8-10 SAC) tallied a 10-2 run with four minutes remaining to take control and tally a 79-72 win on the Saints senior day Saturday in the Timken Center. 

Eagles wrap up road schedule at Limestone
Eagles wrap up road schedule at Limestone

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (20-6, 13-5 South Atlantic Conference) wraps up the road portion of its 2023-24 schedule with a visit to the Timken Center as the guest for Limestone’s (11-14, 7-10 SAC) Senior Day Saturday at 4 p.m. 

Brenegan resets single-season three-point record, Eagles log 20th win at UVA Wise
Brenegan resets single-season three-point record, Eagles log 20th win at UVA Wise

WISE, Va.-  Nick Brenegan (Greenville, S.C.) became the first Carson-Newman men’s basketball player to hit 100 threes in a season as C-N led wire-to-wire in a 94-83 win over UVA Wise (10-15, 6-11 SAC) Wednesday night at the David J. Prior Convocation Center. 

C-N looks to lock up 20-win campaign at Wise
C-N looks to lock up 20-win campaign at Wise

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (19-6, 12-5 South Atlantic Conference) will have its first chance at securing a fourth, 20-win season under head coach Chuck Benson when the Eagles travel to take on UVA Wise (10-14, 6-10 SAC) Wednesday evening at the Prior Convocation Center at 7:30 p.m. 

Eagles withstand furious Trojan rally, prevail 103-101
Eagles withstand furious Trojan rally, prevail 103-101

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (19-6, 12-5 South Atlantic Conference) coughed it up a season-high 23 times, but was so witheringly efficient offensively that it managed to stiff-arm a bonkers Anderson (13-11, 8-8 SAC) rally for a 103-101 win Saturday afternoon in Holt Fieldhouse. 

Eagles wrap up three-game homestand with AU
Eagles wrap up three-game homestand with AU

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (18-6, 11-5 South Atlantic Conference) plays its penultimate home game of the year when it welcomes Anderson (13-10, 8-7 SAC) to Holt Fieldhouse for a 4 p.m. tip Saturday. 

C-N’s comeback effort falls short, Pioneers prevail 84-81
C-N’s comeback effort falls short, Pioneers prevail 84-81

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (18-6, 11-5 South Atlantic Conference) rallied from a 14-point second half deficit to take a lead late against Tusculum (11-11, 9-7 SAC), but couldn’t hang on Wednesday night against the Pioneers in Holt Fieldhouse. 

Eagles, Pioneers renew rivalry Wednesday night
Eagles, Pioneers renew rivalry Wednesday night

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (18-5, 11-4 South Atlantic Conference) renews its rivalry with Tusculum (10-11, 8-7 SAC) for the 184th time when the Pioneers come to Holt Fieldhouse for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff Wednesday night. 

Zhao nets third state player of the week honor from TSWA
Zhao nets third state player of the week honor from TSWA

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – For the third time this season, Carson-Newman junior forward John Zhao (Sevierville, Tenn.) has been named the Tennessee Sportswriters’ Association State Player of the Week, the organization announced Tuesday afternoon. 

Staunch second-half defensive effort keys Eagles in Bear beatdown
Staunch second-half defensive effort keys Eagles in Bear beatdown

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (18-5, 11-4 South Atlantic Conference) held Lenoir-Rhyne (11-12, 6-9 SAC) to one made basket over the final 10 minutes of the contest enroute to a 91-73 win over the Bears Saturday afternoon in Holt Fieldhouse. 

High-flying Eagles, defensive-minded Bears set for Holt collision
High-flying Eagles, defensive-minded Bears set for Holt collision

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (17-5, 10-4 South Atlantic Conference) brings the nation’s most efficient offensive back to Holt Fieldhouse for a three-game home stand beginning with the conference’s top scoring defense and the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears (11-11, 6-8 SAC). 

Comprehensive Carson-Newman careens past Mars Hill 99-72
Comprehensive Carson-Newman careens past Mars Hill 99-72

MARS HILL, N.C. – The only thing that went wrong for Carson-Newman head men’s basketball coach Chuck Benson Wednesday night was the popcorn. 

C-N aims to get back on the winning track at Mars Hill
C-N aims to get back on the winning track at Mars Hill

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (16-5, 9-4 South Atlantic Conference) has done fine work this season bouncing back from losses. 

Turnovers doom Eagles in 19-point loss at Catawba
Turnovers doom Eagles in 19-point loss at Catawba

SALISBURY, N.C. – Carson-Newman (16-5, 9-4 South Atlantic Conference) coughed up a season-high 20 turnovers in a 87-68 loss to Catawba (12-4, 9-3 SAC) Saturday afternoon at Goodman Gym. 

Crucial SAC road trip sends C-N to Salisbury
Crucial SAC road trip sends C-N to Salisbury

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (16-4, 9-3 South Atlantic Conference) wraps up a three-game stretch against three of the top five teams in the SAC standings when it visits Catawba (11-4, 8-3 SAC) for a 4 p.m. tip Saturday in Goodman Gym. 

Zhao snags TSWA weekly honor
Zhao snags TSWA weekly honor

ROCK HILL, S.C. – For the second time this season, junior forward John Zhao (Sevierville, Tenn.) has been named the Tennessee Sportswriters Association State Player of the Week, the organization announced Tuesday evening. 

C-N takes heavyweight prize fight from LMU, 91-82
C-N takes heavyweight prize fight from LMU, 91-82

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. -  In a clash between two of the top teams in the South Atlantic Conference, Carson-Newman (16-4, 9-3 South Atlantic Conference) used an early first-half run to create separation before stiff-arming Lincoln Memorial (15-6, 9-3 SAC) Wednesday night 91-82.

Rivalry Wednesday night on deck for C-N, LMU
Rivalry Wednesday night on deck for C-N, LMU

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – For the 219th time all-time, Carson-Newman (15-4, 8-3 South Atlantic Conference) and Lincoln Memorial (15-5, 9-2 SAC) match wits in one of the SAC’s more storied rivalries at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday night in Holt Fieldhouse. 

Zhao picks up second weekly honor from the SAC
Zhao picks up second weekly honor from the SAC

ROCK HILL, S.C. – For the second time this season, junior forward John Zhao (Sevierville, Tenn.) has been named the WePlayed Sports South Atlantic Conference men’s basketball player of the week, the league office announced Monday morning. 

Sweet-shooting C-N crushes Cobras
Sweet-shooting C-N crushes Cobras

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Saturday afternoon in Holt Fieldhouse, Carson-Newman (15-4, 8-3 South Atlantic Conference) turned into a feral mongoose. 

High-octane Cobras clash with C-N in Holt
High-octane Cobras clash with C-N in Holt

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The two highest-scoring basketball teams in the South Atlantic Conference will square off Saturday at 4 p.m. in Holt Fieldhouse when Carson-Newman (14-4, 7-3 SAC) welcomes Coker (11-7, 7-3 SAC) to Jefferson City. 

C-N pulls it out of the fire against E&H, prevails in OT 106-99
C-N pulls it out of the fire against E&H, prevails in OT 106-99

EMORY, Va. – Emory & Henry had Carson-Newman beat. 

Eagles angle for season sweep of Wasps
Eagles angle for season sweep of Wasps

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (13-4, 6-3 South Atlantic Conference) will try to shrug off a last-second loss Saturday to Wingate when it heads to Emory & Henry (4-13, 1-8 SAC) for an early 5:30 p.m. tip Wednesday at the King Center. 

C-N takes to Tar Heel State for matchup with league-leading Bulldogs
C-N takes to Tar Heel State for matchup with league-leading Bulldogs

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (13-3, 6-2 South Atlantic Conference) gets its crack at one of the hottest teams in the country when it visits Cuddy Arena Saturday at 4 p.m. to take on league-leading Wingate (13-3, 8-0 SAC). 

C-N singes nets, wallops Wise 109-72
C-N singes nets, wallops Wise 109-72

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – In a matchup of the two most efficient offenses in the South Atlantic Conference, UVA Wise (8-9, 4-5 SAC) was the unit found wanting. 

Efficient Eagles, Cavs collide in Holt
Efficient Eagles, Cavs collide in Holt

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Two of the country’s most efficient offenses will match wits when Carson-Newman (12-3, 5-2 South Atlantic Conference) and UVA Wise (8-8, 4-4 SAC) match wits Wednesday night in Holt Fieldhouse at 7:30 p.m. 

Short-handed C-N dominates the second half glass to get by LR
Short-handed C-N dominates the second half glass to get by LR

HICKORY, N.C. – Down two starters, and playing lineups that had never seen the floor together this season, Carson-Newman (12-3, 5-2 South Atlantic Conference) put together a stellar second half to rally from a halftime deficit all season with a 72-63 win over Lenoir-Rhyne (9-7, 4-4 SAC) Saturday afternoon at Shuford Arena. 

C-N searches for road success in Hickory
C-N searches for road success in Hickory

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (11-3, 4-2 South Atlantic Conference) has been one of the most dominant forces in college basketball inside Holt Fieldhouse. 

Eagles bring can of RAID out of halftime locker room, swat Wasps 105-77
Eagles bring can of RAID out of halftime locker room, swat Wasps 105-77

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. -  Leading by one at the break, Carson-Newman (11-3, 4-2 South Atlantic Conference) made a pit stop at a hardware store at halftime to pick up a can of insect killer. 

C-N looks to keep cookin’ against E&H
C-N looks to keep cookin’ against E&H

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (10-3, 3-2 South Atlantic Conference) has been absolutely white hot offensive at home.

Brenegan rewrites record books with 64-point night, Eagles smash Wolves
Brenegan rewrites record books with 64-point night, Eagles smash Wolves

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Simply put, Nick Brenegan (Greenville, S.C.) outscored Newberry by himself. 

C-N returns to Holt to square off with defensive-minded Wolves
C-N returns to Holt to square off with defensive-minded Wolves

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (9-3, 2-2 South Atlantic Conference) will look to put its lowest scoring output of the season in the rearview mirror when it returns to Holt Fieldhouse for a 4 p.m. tip Saturday with Newberry (2-8, 1-4 SAC).

Brenegan adds to trophy case, nets TSWA weekly honor
Brenegan adds to trophy case, nets TSWA weekly honor

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – After the greatest three-point shooting display in Carson-Newman men's basketball history, junior guard Nick Brenegan (Greenville, S.C.) has added to his person trophy case.

Sharp-shooting Railsplitters down C-N
Sharp-shooting Railsplitters down C-N

Carson-Newman (9-3, 2-2 SAC) suffered through its second worst shooting night of the season and dropped an 83-64 decision to #22 Lincoln Memorial (9-4, 3-1 SAC) on Wednesday night inside of Tex Turner Arena.

Brenegan’s marksmanship leads to WePlayed Sports SAC Player of the Week honors
Brenegan’s marksmanship leads to WePlayed Sports SAC Player of the Week honors

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – After the greatest three-point shooting display in Carson-Newman men’s basketball history, junior guard Nick Brenegan (Greenville, S.C.) has been named the WePlayed Sports South Atlantic Conference Player of the Week, the league announced Tuesday morning. 

Eagles nab program-win 1,200 in shootout, comeback win over Belmont Abbey
Eagles nab program-win 1,200 in shootout, comeback win over Belmont Abbey

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (9-2) shot a season-best 62.7 percent from the field, canned 8-of-9 second half threes and overcame its largest deficit of the season en route to the program’s 1,200th win all-time in a 98-87 victory over Belmont Abbey (3-9) Saturday afternoon at Holt Fieldhouse. 

Eagles aim for program win 1,200, close out 2023 with Belmont Abbey
Eagles aim for program win 1,200, close out 2023 with Belmont Abbey

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (8-2) will take a first crack at winning the 1,200th game in program history when Belmont Abbey (3-8) comes to Holt Fieldhouse to close out both non-conference play and 2023 with a 4 p.m. tip Saturday. 

Brenegan goes bananas, Eagles bop Bulldogs
Brenegan goes bananas, Eagles bop Bulldogs

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (8-2) closed out its first semester schedule with the greatest display of three-point shooting in school history and a 107-83 win over Tennessee Wesleyan (4-7) Tuesday afternoon in Holt Fieldhouse. 

Zhao adds State Player of the Week honor from TSWA
Zhao adds State Player of the Week honor from TSWA

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A day after garnering South Atlantic Conference Player of the Week honors, junior forward John Zhao (Sevierville, Tenn.) has added Tennessee Sportswriters Association State Player of the Week honors to his trophy case. 

Hyper-efficient Zhao nets WePlayed Sports SAC Player of the Week plaudit
Hyper-efficient Zhao nets WePlayed Sports SAC Player of the Week plaudit

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman junior forward John Zhao (Sevierville, Tenn.) has been named the WePlayed Sports South Atlantic Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday morning. 

C-N renews old VSAC rivalry with Tennessee Wesleyan
C-N renews old VSAC rivalry with Tennessee Wesleyan

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (7-2) renews one of its long-standing rivalries from its days as an NAIA program when Tennessee Wesleyan (4-7) visits Holt Fieldhouse for a 2 p.m. matinee Tuesday. 

Eagles ride hot hand past Trojans, 94-81
Eagles ride hot hand past Trojans, 94-81

ANDERSON, S.C. – Carson-Newman (7-2, 2-1 South Atlantic Conference) torched the nets to the tune of 55 percent shooting, while weathering a torrid night from Anderson (5-6, 0-3 SAC) en route to a 94-81 win Saturday afternoon at the Abney Athletic Center. 

C-N heads to Electric City for Trojan tussle
C-N heads to Electric City for Trojan tussle

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (6-2, 1-1 South Atlantic Conference) closes out the league section of its 2023 schedule with a road trip to the Abney Athletic Center to take on Anderson (5-5, 0-2 SAC) Saturday at 4 p.m. 

Exceptional defensive first half carries C-N to 83-73 win at Tusculum
Exceptional defensive first half carries C-N to 83-73 win at Tusculum

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (6-2, 1-1 South Atlantic Conference) used a suffocating defense to neutralize Tusculum’s (3-5, 1-2 SAC) and stiff-arm a late Pioneer rally for an 83-73 win over the Pioneers Wednesday night at Pioneer Arena.

Limestone three-point barrage sinks C-N
Limestone three-point barrage sinks C-N

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Limestone (3-4, 2-0 South Atlantic Conference) connected on 17 threes to stiff arm Carson-Newman (5-2, 0-1 SAC) 85-77 Saturday afternoon at Holt Fieldhouse. 

Eagles crank open SAC slate against Saints
Eagles crank open SAC slate against Saints

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (5-1, 0-0 South Atlantic Conference) carries the nation’s number five scoring offense when it begins SAC play Saturday afternoon at 4 against Limestone (2-4, 1-0 SAC) inside Holt Fieldhouse.

C-N causes extinction of mythical lake monster, smashes Lakers 108-81
C-N causes extinction of mythical lake monster, smashes Lakers 108-81

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (5-1) jumped out of the halftime lockerroom with a 20-0 burst and never looked back in a 108-81 thrashing of Clayton State (2-4) Saturday afternoon in Holt Fieldhouse. 

Carson-Newman, Clayton State collide in non-conference clash
Carson-Newman, Clayton State collide in non-conference clash

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (4-1) will look to finish the pre-Christmas portion of its Division II non-conference slate on a positive note when Clayton State (2-3) comes to Jefferson City for a 1 p.m. tip Saturday at Holt Fieldhouse. 

Eagles bash Buffs 111-60
Eagles bash Buffs 111-60

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (4-1) celebrated the renewal of an old Volunteer State Athletic Conference matchup by doing what it has done more to Milligan (3-5) than any other team its played in program history – wallop the Buffs by 50. 

Sizzling C-N swats SWU 108-78
Sizzling C-N swats SWU 108-78

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (3-0) scorched the nets to the tune of 60.9 percent shooting and never trailed in a 108-78 blow out of Southern Wesleyan (0-3) Saturday afternoon at Holt Fieldhouse. 

Brenegan’s game-winner caps frenetic comeback over King
Brenegan’s game-winner caps frenetic comeback over King

WISE, Va. – With 24 seconds left, Nick Brenegan (Greenville, S.C.) curled around a screen, snagged a pass from Bryce Weinmunson (Ponchatoula, La.) and calmly buried a 25-foot three from the top of the key to complete a comeback and get Carson-Newman (2-0) a 74-72 win over King (0-2) Sunday afternoon at the Prior Convocation Center. 

Zhao goes ballistic, Eagles bash Bobcats on opening night
Zhao goes ballistic, Eagles bash Bobcats on opening night

WISE, Va. – John Zhao erupted for a career-high 28 points and Carson-Newman (1-0) used a stellar second half to roll past Lees-McRae (0-1) 101-77 Saturday night at the Prior Convocation Center in the SAC/Conference Carolinas Challenge. 

Carson-Newman Men’s Basketball Position Previews: The Frontcourt
Carson-Newman Men’s Basketball Position Previews: The Frontcourt

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – This is the first part in a two-part series chronicling Carson-Newman’s men’s basketball’s positions for the 2023-24 season. This preview breaks down the Eagles’ forwards and centers with help from Tyler Bowens.

Photos
Lenoir-Rhyne vs. Carson-Newman

2/10/2024 4:00 PM EST

Lenoir-Rhyne vs. Carson-Newman

2/10/2024 4:00 PM EST