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University of Houston Athletics
Gray Named to Preseason All-Conference Team
10/16/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA -- University of Houston senior guard Rob Gray was named to the Preseason All American Athletic Conference First Team on Monday morning prior to the league's Annual Media Day activities.
Gray was joined on the First Team by SMU guard Shake Milton, UConn guard Jalen Adams, Wichita State guard Landry Shamet and UCF guard B.J. Taylor.
In 2016-17, Gray led the Cougars and the American Athletic Conference with 20.6 points per game, becoming Houston's eighth conference scoring champion in school history and the first since Aubrey Coleman led the nation in 2010.
The Forest City, N.C., native was named to the All-American Athletic Conference First Team and was selected to the USBWA All-District VII Team and the NABC All-District 25 Second Team.
Gray was named to the Gulf Coast Showcase All-Tournament Team after leading Houston to its first regular-season tournament title since 1991 and was a two-time American Athletic Conference Player of the Week selection.
Gray became the 46th player in school history to score more than 1,000 points during his Cougar career and was the 12th-fastest player to reach that milestone.
Cincinnati forwards Gary Clark and Kyle Washington, Tulsa forward Junior Etou, Cincinnati guard Jacob Evans and UCF center Tacko Fall were named to the Second Team.
Milton was recognized as the Preseason Player of the Year while UConn guard Alterique Gilbert was picked as the Preseason Rookie of the Year.
As a team, the Cougars collected 72 points to rank sixth in the league's Preseason Coaches Poll. Cincinnati collected 116 points to finish a point ahead of Wichita State. UCF (93), SMU (91) and UConn (79) rounded out the top-five leaders.
Temple (68), Tulsa (52), Memphis (36), Tulane (30), ECU (24) and USF (16) rounded out the rest of the league.
GAME OF THE CENTURY PANEL
Fans are invited to a special preseason event on Friday, Nov. 3, as the University of Houston Men's Basketball program celebrates the 50th anniversary of the legendary Game of the Century between Houston and UCLA in 1968 and introduces the 2017-18 squad.
Members of the 1967-68 team, including Elvin Hayes and Don Chaney, will join host, CBS Sports broadcaster and UH alumnus Jim Nantz for a round-table discussion beginning at 7 p.m., Nov. 3, inside the Moores Opera House. Players and support staff members from the Game of the Century will share their memories about that game and the impact it still has on college basketball today.
Legendary sports broadcaster Dick Enberg -- who called the play-by-play action for the Game of the Century for TVS network -- and CBS Sports analyst Seth Davis also will join the panel.
Tickets for the event are $250 with all proceeds benefitting the Houston Men's Basketball program as the team's annual fundraiser. Fans may purchase tickets by calling Lauren Sampson with the Men's Basketball Office at 713-743-9430 or by emailing lsampson@central.uh.edu.
Fans also can visit uhcougars.com/gameofthecentury for more information.
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for 15 regular-season games and a Nov. 5 exhibition against Angelo State inside H&PE Arena on the campus of Texas Southern begin as low as $100. Fans can purchase season tickets online at UHCougars.com/tickets or by calling the Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647).
JOIN the 50-50-CLUB
Fans are invited to join the 50-50 Club to support Houston Men's Basketball. 50-50 Club members help fund program necessities and enhance the experience for our student-athletes.
Fans who join the 50-50 Club will receive embroidered team apparel, a signed basketball, invitations to practice, a tour of the $25 million Guy V. Lewis Development Facility, regular updates about the program and much more.
To join the 50-50 Club, fans can call 713-743-9742 or email UHMensBasketball@uh.edu. For more information about the 50-50 Club, levels of giving and benefits, fans can click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive the latest news and notes by following @UHCougarMBK on Twitter. Fans also can discuss the latest Houston Men's Basketball news and notes on the team's Facebook page by clicking LIKE at HoustonCougarMensHoops or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
