Charles Smith of the Newcastle Eagles has been recognised for his efforts during December as he has been awarded with the Molten Player of the Month.

The 6’6″ forward has averaged 20.8 points per game over the six matches that the Eagles played in December and he also inspired the team to the BBL Cup Final.

Smith scored 20 points and snatched 8 rebounds as Newcastle overcame their perennial rivals, and Smith’s former club, the SAMG Verve Scottish Rocks in the BBL Cup semi-final at the K2 Arena.

The native Pennsylvanian saved his best performances for the end of the month. Just before Christmas he came close to an unbelievable quadruple-double as he posted 24 points, 17 rebounds, 10 assists, and 7 steals against the Team Birmingham Panthers. In their last game of 2007, Smith scored a massive 38 points, took 9 rebounds, and dished out 4 assists in their 94-99 defeat of the Everton Tigers.

The Eagles went 5-1 in all competitions during the month, and the player affectionately termed ‘Prince’ by Newcastle’s fans netted 17 and 12 points respectively in wins over London and Leicester, and scored 14 in their defeat to the Rocks at the start of the month.

Both the Molten Player and Coach of the Month awards will be presented at the BBL Cup Final on Sunday 13th January at the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham.

Smith, who is now in his sixth season with the Eagles, now turns his attention to a double-header weekend as the Eagles host the Rocks in the BBL Trophy tonight before travelling to the Worcester Wolves in a league game tomorrow.