ATLANTA-- After traveling to Arizona State to begin the week, the Panthers continue their month-long road swing at South Dakota State on Friday, Nov. 21 at 8:00 p.m. ET.
The contest between the Panthers and the Jackrabbits tips off game one of the Cancun Challenge, and the only one in the States. The Panthers will then travel to Cancun, Mx., to face Samford (Nov. 25) and New Mexico State (Nov. 26).
The Panthers are meeting South Dakota State and New Mexico State for the first time in program history. Georgia State will meet Samford for the 37th time in program history, and the first time since 2011.
Georgia State clinched its first win of the season against Fort Valley State on Thursday, Nov. 13, after four players scored in double digits to lead the Panthers to a 90-56 victory.
Freshman Joah Chappelle scored the first double-double of the season for the Panthers after recording 16 points and 12 rebounds in the Panthers' win over Fort Valley State (Nov. 13).
THE DYNAMIC DUO
Jelani Hamilton and Malachi Brown, who both played in all 33 games last season, return for their second season with the Panthers.
Jelani Hamilton leads the Panthers averaging 14.7 ppg, and totals 2.7 rpg, 1.0 steal per game and 2.0 assists per game. His 19 free throws leads in the Sun Belt and ranks top 50 nationally.
The redshirt sophomore led the team last season with 38 total steals and posted Georgia State's highest scoring mark of the season when he scored 32 against Taccoa Falls.
For the second consecutive year, Malachi Brown leads the Panthers in assists with 2.8 apg. He also leads the team with seven steals.
The Buford, Ga., native started 31 of the 33 games last season and put up 7.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg and 3.4 apg, leading the team in total assists (111) and second in total steals (37).
The junior finished fourth in the Sun Belt with a 1.85 assist/turnover ratio and 10th in the conference for total assists and assists per-game.
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
Three of Georgia State's starting five consist of newcomers, including two veteran transfers and a freshman.
Sophomore Joah Chappelle is second on the Panthers' leaderboard with 11.6 ppg, and leads the Panthers in rebounding with 8.2 rpg.
Averaging 8.2 rebounds per-game, Chappelle ranks second in the Sun Belt in rebounding, and is third in the conference in total rebounds (41).
Chappelle has led the Panthers in rebounding for three-of-four games this season.
Sophomore Christian Beam is top 10 in the Sun Belt in blocking (6/ 1.2 pg).
Freshman Micah Tucker is third on the Panthers' leaderboard with 9.8 ppg. He totals nine assists and five steals.
Tucker Played at Overtime Elite and averaged 12 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 3.5 apg across 20 games.
Jakai Newton, who has also seen action as a starter throughout the season, averages 9.3 ppg and is third on the team in rebounding (5.0).
Newton brings Power 4 experience, having spent two years at Indiana, where he saw action in four games before suffering a lower body injury. Coming out of high school, Newton was ranked as the 86th-best prospect by 247Sports.
MONTH-LONG ROAD TREK
The Panthers hit the road in mid-November for a six-game, month-long road trek across the country.
Georgia State started the road series at Arizona State (Nov. 17) for the farthest U.S. matchup this season.
The Panthers then head to South Dakota State (Nov. 21) before going international to participate in the Cancun Challenge in Cancun, Mx.
Georgia State finishes out the month-long road swing back home in Georgia, traveling to Mercer (Dec. 2) and Kennesaw State (Dec. 5).
