The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Men's Basketball
- Title:
- Graduate Assistant
Second Season at Texas
Tristen Licon begins his second year as Graduate Assistant with the men’s basketball program at The University of Texas.
Texas completed the 2022-23 season with an overall record of 29-9 (12-6 Big 12, second) and ranked No. 5 in the final Associated Press poll. The No. 5 spot marked a tie for the highest ranking in the final AP poll by the Longhorns. UT also was No. 5 in the final AP poll during the 2002-03 Final Four season. The Longhorns advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight for the first time since 2008 and eighth time in program history. Texas captured its second Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship title in program history, defeating No. 3 Kansas, 76-56, in the championship game in Kansas City, Mo.
The 29 wins were the third-most in a single season in program history, as UT went 31-7 in 2007-08 and 30-7 in 2005-06. The Longhorns compiled a 10-7 record against AP Top 25 opponents in 2022-23. This set a school single-season record for most wins in a year against AP-ranked teams, as UT previously went 8-5 in 2003-04. Texas posted a 6-3 mark against AP Top 11 foes during the 2022-23 season and tied a program single-season record for most games played (38). The Longhorns were one of three teams to rank in the top 15 in KenPom in both adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency. Texas (15 offense, 13 defense) was joined by UConn (3 offense, 7 defense) and Houston (11 offense, 5 defense).
Prior to beginning his coaching career, Licon played for one season (2021-22) at Texas as a graduate transfer. He originally enrolled at UT with the intention of joining the coaching staff as a graduate assistant, but he took the opportunity to complete his playing eligibility with the extra year granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Licon saw action in 16 games and registered totals of 22 points, seven rebounds and five steals in 67 minutes while converting 4-of-10 three-pointers during the season. The Longhorns posted a 22-12 overall record (10-8 Big 12 Conference, fourth) and earned an 81-73 win over Virginia Tech in the NCAA Tournament Round of 64, marking the school’s first NCAA tourney win since 2014, before falling to No. 10/9 (No. 3 seed) Purdue in a hard-fought battle in the Round of 32. The 22 total wins by the Longhorns were the most since Texas had 24 victories in 2013-14. UT, which appeared in every Associated Press Top 25 poll except one during the season, placed No. 25 in the final AP poll.
Licon elected to transfer to Texas after playing his first four seasons at Sul Ross State, a NCAA Division III school in Alpine, Texas. He played in 99 career games (65 starts) during his four years at Sul Ross and ranked second in career scoring (1,579 points) and second in career rebouds (548) in program history. Licon posted career averages of 15.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 30.9 minutes per game. He was a two-time American Southwest Conference (ASC) all-league selection, two-time D3hoops.com All-South Region second-team pick and a four-time ASC West Division choice. Licon earned his bachelor’s degree in May 2020 from Sul Ross State in Kinesiology and Human Performance. He received his master’s degree in August 2021 from Sul Ross State in Education.
As a senior in 2020-21, Licon led the team in scoring (20.4 ppg), rebounding (8.3 rpg) and steals (45) and earned ASC Defensive Player of the Year honors. During his junior year in 2019-20, he led the team in scoring (19.3 ppg), assists (80) and steals (53) and claimed ASC West Division Player of the Year accolades. As a freshman in 2017-18, Licon earned ASC West Division Newcomer of the Year honors and helped the Lobos win the ASC regular season and tournament championships and advance to the NCAA Division III Tournament first round. He attended Lubbock Christian University (Lubbock, Texas) for one year (2016-17) prior to enrolling at Sul Ross State.
A native of El Paso, Texas, Licon was a four-year letterwinner in basketball at Americas High School. He was a two-time Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) 6A All-Region I first-team selection. Licon earned District 1-6A Most Valuable Player and the El Paso Times Most Valuable Player honors as a senior in 2016 while leading Americas to a 32-1 mark.
