The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Abmas named Big 12 Men’s Basketball Newcomer of the Week
01.15.2024 | Men's Basketball
Graduate guard averaged 23.5 points and 4.0 assists per game in UT’s two contests last week.
IRVING, Texas — University of Texas graduate guard Max Abmas has been named the Big 12 Conference Newcomer of the Week, the league office announced Monday. This marks Abmas' second career weekly league honor, as he previously claimed the same award on Dec. 18.
In UT's two contests last week, Abmas averaged 23.5 points and 4.0 assists in 36.0 minutes per game while converting 48.4-percent (15-31) from the floor, including a 50-percent (10-20) mark from three-point range, and 87.5-percent (7-8) from the free throw line. During Tuesday's 74-73 win at Cincinnati (Jan. 9), he posted 15 points (6-14 FG, 3-7 threes) and five assists in 35 minutes and knocked down the game-winning shot from the right baseline with 6.2 seconds remaining.
Abmas returned on Saturday at West Virginia (Jan. 13) and registered a season-high 32 points (9-17 FG, 7-13 threes, 7-8 FT), three assists and three steals in 37 minutes. His seven 3-pointers tied his collegiate career high and marked the seventh time in his career that he had hit seven three-pointers in a game. It also marked the 19th time in his collegiate career that he has topped the 30-point mark in a contest.
Abmas moved into a tie for No. 17 with the legendary Larry Bird (Indiana State) on the NCAA all-time Division I career scoring points list (2,850). Through the first 16 games this year, Abmas leads the team in scoring (18.0 ppg), assists (70) and minutes (34.3 mpg). He has converted 46.0-percent (99-215) from the floor, including a 41.3-percent (50-121) mark from three-point range, and 90.9-percent (40-44) from the free throw line.
Texas (12-4, 1-2 Big 12) returns to action when it hosts UCF on Wednesday, Jan. 17. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. Central at Moody Center, and the contest will be televised nationally by Longhorn Network.
