Three days after being named the Southland Conference’s Player of the Year, Shahada Wells still had a chip on his shoulder.

Earning the most prestigious award in the league only proved to fuel his fire.

“I don’t know what more the man can do,” said McNeese State guard D.J. Richards, Wells’ teammate. “He’s the best player in the league.”

Still, Wells went out and did more.

The 6-foot graduate transfer from Texas Christian scored 27 points in each of the Cowboys’ two games in the Southland Tournament. That led him to be named the tourney’s MVP, adding more hardware to his season of redemption.

“I came to McNeese just wanting a chance to show what I can do,” Wells said. “I just wanted to prove myself and get my opportunity. McNeese has been everything I could ever have hoped for.”

Wells finished second in the league in scoring at 17.8 while also pulling down 4.5 rebounds. He had 153 assists to 65 turnovers and topped the SLC with 95 steals.

In marquee games, nobody stood taller than Wells, as he proved in the tournament.

In McNeese’s two wins, Wells was 15-for-30 from the field, making 4 of 10 shots from long range, and connected on all but two of his 22 free throw tries. He also had 11 assists and two turnovers.

“We knew we could put him in the right spot and we knew he would deliver for us,” McNeese head coach Will Wade said of Wells. “What I didn’t know was how good of a person and how good of a leader he was; I was just recruiting his basketball talent.

“I have coached a lot of very, very good players, but I have never had my best player, my best leader and my harder worker until I have had him. Until we had him I have never been able to say that. It’s the biggest compliment I can give anyone.”

All season long the other Cowboys have praised Wells.

“He is the one who has gotten us here,” said forward Christian Shumate. “He pushes us to be better. Hada is just like coach, always pushing us.

“Hada is amazing. He does so many things for us and is always making the big plays.”

That is the way Wells has approached the season. After waiting for his time, the 24-year old wanted to make the most of this last chance.

“I know a lot of people had a lot of questions about me,” Wells said. “They said I wasn’t big enough, wasn’t good enough. I heard that but I wanted to show that I could play on this level.”

He has done more than make a name for himself. Three times this year he was named by separate publications as their national player of the week. He is a candidate to be the Louisiana Player of the Year and earn his share of mid-major awards.

However, Wells’ most notable strength has been in the way he performs in critical games at key moments. He’s not only taken clutch shots but also set up his teammates.

“Hada gets us the ball in the right situation,” said center Antavion Collum. “He is the guy that makes things happen for us.”

Down the stretch, Wells scored 20 or more points in four the last six games. He averaged 21.5 points in those games.

Wells set his career high with 37 points in a two-point loss at Western Carolina, and 23 in the season-opening win at Virginia Commonwealth, when the 30-3 Cowboys introduced themselves to the college basketball world.

He scored 36 points as the Cowboys beat Alabama-Birmingham and finished with 30 points and six assists in an eye-opening victory at Michigan.

“I like playing in those games,” Wells said. “You get to play against the best and test yourself.”

He will be back in the NCAA Tournament for a second consecutive season, only this time in a starring role and not as a backup.

And Wells is the lone to have played in an NCAA Tournament game before, meaning his leadership will be needed again.

“It’s been a great year but we want to try and make a run in March Madness,” Wells said.