The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Abmas named Big 12 Men’s Basketball Newcomer of the Week
02.05.2024 | Men's Basketball
Graduate guard averaged 20.5 points and 3.5 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' third career weekly league honor, as he previously claimed the same award on Dec. 18 and Jan. 15.
In UT's two games against AP Top 25 opponents last week, Abmas averaged a team-best 20.5 points, 3.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 37.4 minutes per contest. During last Monday's overtime loss to No. 4/4 Houston (Jan. 29), he recorded a team-high 20 points (6-8 FT), five assists, five rebounds and one steal in a season-high 43 minutes.
Abmas returned in Saturday's 77-66 win at No. 25/25 TCU (Feb. 3) and tallied a game-high 21 points (7-7 FT), two assists, two rebounds and two steals in 32 minutes. He scored UT's final 13 points in the last 3:27 of the contest, converting 3-of-3 field goals, including 2-of-2 threes, and 5-of-5 free throws to help the Longhorns seal the victory with a 13-2 run.
In his first 22 contests at Texas, he leads the team in scoring (17.9 ppg), assists (92) and minutes (35.2 mpg). Abmas has hit 44.9-percent (133-296) from the floor, including a 39.9-percent (67-168) mark from three-point range, and 89.6-percent (60-67) from the free throw line. He also sports a 1.77-to-1 (92-52) assist-to-turnover ratio this season. In nine Big 12 Conference contests, Abmas has averaged a team-best 18.9 ppg while converting 44.4-percent (55-124) from the floor, including a 41.9-percent (31-74) mark from three-point range, in 37.2 mpg.
Abmas has moved into the No. 13 spot on the NCAA Division I men's career scoring list with 2,955 points, as he passed the legendary Danny Manning of Kansas (2,951) on Saturday. Next up on the list at No. 12 is the great Oscar Robertson of Cincinnati (2,973). Abmas also is No. 5 on the NCAA Division I men's career three-point field goals made chart with 487 career threes.
Texas (15-7, 4-5 Big 12) returns to action when it hosts No. 14/14 Iowa State on Tuesday, Feb. 6. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. Central at Moody Center, and the contest will be televised nationally by Longhorn Network.
