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University of Houston Athletics
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Men’s Basketball Picked as The American Preseason Favorite
10/11/2022 1:31:00 PM | Men's Basketball
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Cougars picked No. 1 for fourth straight year; senior guard Marcus Sasser named Preseason Player of the Year; freshman guard Jarace Walker recognized as Preseason Rookie of the Year; junior guard Jamal Shead named to Preseason All-Conference Second Team
HOUSTON – For the fourth consecutive season, the University of Houston Men's Basketball program was picked as the preseason favorite in the American Athletic Conference Preseason Poll.
The announcement was made Wednesday morning prior to the start of the league's annual Media Days. Voting was done by the league's head coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their schools or student-athletes.
The Cougars were a unanimous selection as the preseason favorite, collecting 10 first-place votes and receiving 100 points to lead the poll. Memphis stood in second with 87 points and the other first-place vote while Cincinnati (82), Tulane (74), Temple (66), UCF (51), SMU (43), Wichita State (35), South Florida (33), Tulsa (21) and East Carolina (13) completed the poll.
Senior guard Marcus Sasser was named the league's Preseason Player of the Year earned a place on the Preseason First Team while junior point guard Jamal Shead was named to the league's Preseason Second Team. Forward Jarace Walker was recognized as The American's Preseason Rookie of the Year.
Memphis guard Kendric Davis, Memphis forward DeAndre Williams, Temple guard Damian Dunn and Tulane guard Jalen Cook joined Sasser on the Preseason First Team. Sasser, Davis and Cook were unanimous selections.
Shead was joined on the Preseason Second Team by Cincinnati guard David DeJulius, Temple guard Khalif Battle, Tulane forward Kevin Cross and Tulane guard Jaylen Forbes.
FIRST TEAM
SECOND TEAM
* – unanimous selections
ABOUT MARCUS SASSER
Sasser returns for his senior season after missing most of the 2021-22 campaign following foot surgery.
The Dallas native was averaging a team-high 17.7 points per game and was a Preseason All-American Athletic Conference First-Team selection before being sidelined.
Sasser posted four 20-point games in his first 12 games a year ago, including tying his season high with 26 points in wins against Rice and Northwestern State.
He drained seven 3-pointers in the first half of the win against Northwestern State, tying the school record set by Robert McKiver against Charleston on Nov. 17, 2007.
With 180 3-pointers and 498 3-point attempts to date, Sasser is poised to set Houston career records in both categories entering the 2022-23 season.
ABOUT JARACE WALKER
Walker was a unanimous 5-star recruit and 2022 McDonald's All-American before signing with the Cougars.
He was ranked as the No. 10 player nationally in the ESPN100 and was listed as a No, 1 power forward nationally by ESPN and 247Sports.
A native of New Freedom, Pa., Walker was a member of the USA Nike Hoop Summit Team, which defeated the World Select Team and was named to the Naismith National High School All-America Second Team.
As a senior during the 2021-22 season, Walker averaged 16.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game to lead his IMG Academy team to a 20-4 record.
He became the fifth McDonald's All-American to player with Houston, joining Quentin Grimes (2017-18), Devonta Pollard (2011-12), Alton Ford (1999-00) and Rickie Winslow (1982-83).
ABOUT JAMAL SHEAD
Shead led the Cougars and the American Athletic Conference with 221 assists in 2021-22, the second-highest total in Houston single-season history.
He was the only NCAA Division I student-athlete to rank among the nation's Top-10 leaders in both assists and assist-turnover ratio and was an All-American Athletic Conference honoree.
A native of Manor, Texas, Shead became only the third sophomore in school history to be named to the NCAA Tournament All-Regional Team a year ago, joining Hakeem Olajuwon (1984) and Elvin Hayes (1968).
He scored a career-high 21 points in a win over No. 2/2 (1 seed) Arizona in the Sweet 16 and dished out a career-high 13 assists in a win over Temple inside the Fertitta Center as the Cougars clinched The American regular-season title.
ABOUT the HOUSTON COUGARS
Under the leadership of three-time American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year Kelvin Sampson, three starters and seven lettermen return from the Cougars' 2021-22 team, which posted a 32-6 overall record, advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight, swept the American Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles and finished among the nation's Top 10 for the second straight season.
The Cougars have posted seven consecutive 20-win seasons, including a pair of 30-win campaigns, and competed in each of the last four NCAA Tournaments to tie a school record.
BUY 2022-23 TICKETS
For the third straight season, the Cougars sold out of their season tickets for home games inside the Fertitta Center.
Fans will have the opportunity to purchase a limited number of single-game tickets for the Cougars' 18 regular-season home games inside the Fertitta Center beginning Monday, Oct. 24.
To purchase single-game tickets on/after Oct. 24, fans may call the Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours or click here and follow the appropriate links.
Fans who were unable to purchase season tickets in 2022-23 are invited to join the team's 2023-24 Wait List as the Cougars prepare to enter the Big 12 Conference. To join the 2023-24 season tickets Wait List, fans can click here.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference.
Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
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 Jordan Brand team apparel, invitations to exclusive events, regular updates about the program and much more.
For more information or to sign up, fans may visit uhcougars.com/5050club or click here. To join the 50-50 Club, fans may call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4687).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
The announcement was made Wednesday morning prior to the start of the league's annual Media Days. Voting was done by the league's head coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their schools or student-athletes.
The Cougars were a unanimous selection as the preseason favorite, collecting 10 first-place votes and receiving 100 points to lead the poll. Memphis stood in second with 87 points and the other first-place vote while Cincinnati (82), Tulane (74), Temple (66), UCF (51), SMU (43), Wichita State (35), South Florida (33), Tulsa (21) and East Carolina (13) completed the poll.
Senior guard Marcus Sasser was named the league's Preseason Player of the Year earned a place on the Preseason First Team while junior point guard Jamal Shead was named to the league's Preseason Second Team. Forward Jarace Walker was recognized as The American's Preseason Rookie of the Year.Memphis guard Kendric Davis, Memphis forward DeAndre Williams, Temple guard Damian Dunn and Tulane guard Jalen Cook joined Sasser on the Preseason First Team. Sasser, Davis and Cook were unanimous selections.
Shead was joined on the Preseason Second Team by Cincinnati guard David DeJulius, Temple guard Khalif Battle, Tulane forward Kevin Cross and Tulane guard Jaylen Forbes.
FIRST TEAM
| * Marcus Sasser | Senior | Guard | Houston |
| * Kendric Davis | Senior | Guard | Memphis |
| DeAndre Williams | Senior | Forward | Memphis |
| Damian Dunn | r-Sophomore | Guard | Temple |
| * Jalen Cook | Sophomore | Guard | Tulane |
SECOND TEAM
| Jamal Shead | Junior | Guard | Houston |
| David DeJulius | Graduate | Guard | Cincinnati |
| Khalif Battle | r-Sophomore | Guard | Temple |
| Kevin Cross | Junior | Forward | Tulane |
| Jaylen Forbes | Junior | Guard | Tulane |
ABOUT MARCUS SASSERSasser returns for his senior season after missing most of the 2021-22 campaign following foot surgery.
The Dallas native was averaging a team-high 17.7 points per game and was a Preseason All-American Athletic Conference First-Team selection before being sidelined.
Sasser posted four 20-point games in his first 12 games a year ago, including tying his season high with 26 points in wins against Rice and Northwestern State.
He drained seven 3-pointers in the first half of the win against Northwestern State, tying the school record set by Robert McKiver against Charleston on Nov. 17, 2007.
With 180 3-pointers and 498 3-point attempts to date, Sasser is poised to set Houston career records in both categories entering the 2022-23 season.
ABOUT JARACE WALKERWalker was a unanimous 5-star recruit and 2022 McDonald's All-American before signing with the Cougars.
He was ranked as the No. 10 player nationally in the ESPN100 and was listed as a No, 1 power forward nationally by ESPN and 247Sports.
A native of New Freedom, Pa., Walker was a member of the USA Nike Hoop Summit Team, which defeated the World Select Team and was named to the Naismith National High School All-America Second Team.
As a senior during the 2021-22 season, Walker averaged 16.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game to lead his IMG Academy team to a 20-4 record.
He became the fifth McDonald's All-American to player with Houston, joining Quentin Grimes (2017-18), Devonta Pollard (2011-12), Alton Ford (1999-00) and Rickie Winslow (1982-83).
ABOUT JAMAL SHEADShead led the Cougars and the American Athletic Conference with 221 assists in 2021-22, the second-highest total in Houston single-season history.
He was the only NCAA Division I student-athlete to rank among the nation's Top-10 leaders in both assists and assist-turnover ratio and was an All-American Athletic Conference honoree.
A native of Manor, Texas, Shead became only the third sophomore in school history to be named to the NCAA Tournament All-Regional Team a year ago, joining Hakeem Olajuwon (1984) and Elvin Hayes (1968).
He scored a career-high 21 points in a win over No. 2/2 (1 seed) Arizona in the Sweet 16 and dished out a career-high 13 assists in a win over Temple inside the Fertitta Center as the Cougars clinched The American regular-season title.
ABOUT the HOUSTON COUGARS
Under the leadership of three-time American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year Kelvin Sampson, three starters and seven lettermen return from the Cougars' 2021-22 team, which posted a 32-6 overall record, advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight, swept the American Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles and finished among the nation's Top 10 for the second straight season.
The Cougars have posted seven consecutive 20-win seasons, including a pair of 30-win campaigns, and competed in each of the last four NCAA Tournaments to tie a school record.
BUY 2022-23 TICKETS
For the third straight season, the Cougars sold out of their season tickets for home games inside the Fertitta Center.
Fans will have the opportunity to purchase a limited number of single-game tickets for the Cougars' 18 regular-season home games inside the Fertitta Center beginning Monday, Oct. 24.
To purchase single-game tickets on/after Oct. 24, fans may call the Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours or click here and follow the appropriate links.
Fans who were unable to purchase season tickets in 2022-23 are invited to join the team's 2023-24 Wait List as the Cougars prepare to enter the Big 12 Conference. To join the 2023-24 season tickets Wait List, fans can click here.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference.
Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
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 Jordan Brand team apparel, invitations to exclusive events, regular updates about the program and much more.
For more information or to sign up, fans may visit uhcougars.com/5050club or click here. To join the 50-50 Club, fans may call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4687).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
– UHCougars.com –
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