The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Trio from Men's Basketball earns spots on All-Big 12 Awards teams
03.08.2009 | Men's Basketball
March 8, 2009
IRVING, Texas -- A trio of University of Texas players earned spots on the 2008-09 Phillips 66 All-Big 12 Men's Basketball Award teams, the league office announced Sunday. The official All-Big 12 awards are selected by the league's head coaches, who are not allowed to vote for their own players.
Senior guard A.J. Abrams and junior swingman Damion James were two of five players named to the All-Big 12 Second Team. Abrams and James both earned second-team accolades last season.
One of 10 finalists for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award and a NABC All-District 8 Second Team choice, Abrams leads the team and ranks seventh in the Big 12 in scoring (16.7 ppg). He also leads the league in three-pointers made (89) and minutes played (1,133).
A NABC All-District 8 Second Team pick, James leads the team and ranks fourth in the Big 12 in rebounding (9.4 rpg). He also leads the team in double-doubles (14) and ranks second on the team and ninth in the league in scoring (15.9 ppg).
Junior guard Justin Mason earned a spot on the six-person Big 12 All-Defensive Team for the second consecutive season. Mason leads the team in steals (37) and ranks fourth on the squad in rebounding (4.0 rpg).
In other Texas Basketball news, sophomore forward Gary Johnson claimed a spot on the six-person Big 12 All-Reserve team. This team was one of several specialty squads selected by a panel of sportswriters who regularly cover the league. Johnson ranks second on the team in rebounding (5.7 rpg) and third in scoring (11.0 ppg) while averaging 24.1 minutes per contest.
2008-09 PHILLIPS 66 ALL-BIG 12 MEN'S BASKETBALL AWARDS
Player of the Year: Blake Griffin (Oklahoma)
Defensive Players of the Year: Cole Aldrich (Kansas), J.T. Tiller (Missouri)
Newcomer of the Year: Denis Clemente (Kansas State)
Freshman of the Year: Willie Warren (Oklahoma)
Sixth-Man Awards: LaceDarius Dunn (Baylor), Matt Lawrence (Missouri)
Coach of the Year: Bill Self (Kansas)
All-Big 12 First Team
Craig Brackins, Iowa State
Cole Aldrich, Kansas
Sherron Collins, Kansas
DeMarre Carroll, Missouri
Blake Griffin, Oklahoma
All-Big 12 Second Team
Denis Clemente, Kansas State
Willie Warren, Oklahoma
James Anderson, Oklahoma State
A.J. Abrams, Texas
Damion James, Texas
All-Big 12 Third Team
Curtis Jerrells, Baylor
Cory Higgins, Colorado
Leo Lyons, Missouri
Ade Dagunduro, Nebraska
Byron Eaton, Oklahoma State
Josh Carter, Texas A&M
Big 12 All-Defensive Team
Cole Aldrich, Kansas
J.T. Tiller, Missouri
Ade Dagunduro, Nebraska
Terrel Harris, Oklahoma State
Justin Mason, Texas
Derrick Roland, Texas A&M
Big 12 All-Rookie Team
Marcus Morris, Kansas
Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas
Denis Clemente, Kansas State
Zaire Taylor, Missouri
Willie Warren, Oklahoma
Big 12 All-Reserve Team (voted by panel of sportswriters who regularly cover the Big 12)
LaceDarius Dunn, Baylor
B.J. Holmes, Texas A&M
Gary Johnson, Texas
Keiton Page, Oklahoma State
Mike Singletary, Texas Tech
Paul Velander, Nebraska
