MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Dalton State Men's Basketball collected a slate of Southern States Athletic Conference honors following a championship run, highlighted by Omarion Smith being named the 2026 SSAC Men's Basketball Championship MVP, Presented by WinWon. Smith joined Qualen Pettus on the SSAC All-Tournament Team, while Pettus also earned First-Team All-SSAC honors. Smith and Varun Danak were each selected to the Second-Team All-SSAC, and Ja'Ron Briggs and Kyoya Sasaki were recognized on the SSAC All-Academic Team.
 
Smith's tournament MVP capped a dominant three-game stretch that powered the Roadrunners to the title. He averaged 20.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks per game while shooting 59% from the field, imposing his will on both ends. His signature performance came in the semifinal win over Brewton-Parker Christian, where he posted 26 points, 18 rebounds, and four blocks to help push Dalton State into the championship game.
 
Pettus was steady and clutch throughout the postseason and conference slate, pairing shot creation with leadership that set the tone for the Roadrunners. His play earned him a spot on the SSAC All-Tournament Team alongside Smith and recognition as a First-Team All-SSAC selection.
 
Danak's Second-Team All-SSAC nod reflects his consistency and two-way impact, complementing Smith's interior presence and stretching defenses during key stretches. In the classroom, Briggs and Sasaki exemplified the program's academic standard with their selections to the SSAC All-Academic Team.
 
2026 SSAC Men's Basketball Championship MVP, Presented by WinWon

• Omarion Smith, Dalton State (MVP)
  Averaged 20.0 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 3.3 BPG, 59% FG; had 26 pts, 18 reb, 4 blk in the semifinal vs. Brewton-Parker Christian.

2026 SSAC Men's Basketball All-Tournament Team, Presented by WinWon

• Omarion Smith, Dalton State*
• Qualen Pettus, Dalton State
• Makeem Roberts, William Carey
• Malik Franklin, William Carey
• Shane Stevensen, Life
• Tommy Tisdale, Brewton-Parker Christian
  * Denotes Tournament MVP

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