Walker Named American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week

HOUSTON – After helping lead the Cougars to a pair of wins during the first week of the season, University of Houston forwards Jarace Walker and J'Wan Roberts earned American Athletic Conference weekly awards Monday.

Making his collegiate debut, Walker was chosen as the league's Rookie of the Week, while Roberts was named to the Honor Roll.

The duo led the Cougars to a season-opening 83-36 win over Northern Colorado on Nov. 7 inside the Fertitta Center and followed that with an 81-55 win over Saint Joseph's at the Veterans Classic inside Alumni Hall on the campus of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., on Friday.

Cincinnati guard David DeJulius was named Player of the Week. Taylor Hendricks (UCF, guard), Javon Small (East Carolina, guard), Damian Dunn (Temple, guard) and Kevin Cross (Tulane, forward) joined Roberts on the Honor Roll.

ABOUT JARACE WALKER
Making his collegiate debut after an award-winning high school career, Walker averaged 15.5 points and a team-best 10.0 rebounds per game in both wins.

The New Freedom, Pa., native led all players with 12 rebounds, including six offensive boards, in his Fertitta Center debut.

It was the most rebounds by any Cougar in their Houston debut since center Emmanuel Adeife grabbed 15 rebounds in a win over Florida Tech in the 2005-06 season opener on Nov. 22, 2005. It was the most rebounds by any Cougar in their Houston debut since then-junior forward Devin Davis snared 15 boards in a win over Morgan State inside Hofheinz Pavilion on Nov. 11, 2016.

In Friday's win over Saint Joseph's, he led all players with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds with two assists and a pair of steals. Walker also drained two of his four 3-point attempts.

JWan Roberts, American Athletic Conference Honor Roll (Nov. 14, 2022)

JWan Roberts, American Athletic Conference Honor Roll (Nov. 14, 2022)

ABOUT J'WAN ROBERTS
Roberts averaged 15.5 points and 9.0 rebounds in the two games last week. The St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, native connected on 82.4 percent of his shots from the field with a 75.0 free throw percentage.

He opened the season with a career-high 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting and grabbed six rebounds against Northern Colorado on Monday. He scored the Cougars' first points of the 2022-23 season with a steal and fast-break layup on UNC's opening possession.

Roberts followed that with a 19-point, 12-rebound performance against Saint Joseph's on Friday in the first meeting against the Hawks. He drained 8-of-9 shots from the field and swatted a pair of shots in the team's first double-double of the season the third of his career.

He is tied for the team lead with 15.5 points per game and ranks second with 9.0 rebounds per contest this season.

BUY 2022-23 TICKETS
Fans may now purchase single-game tickets for the Cougars' 18 regular-season home games inside the Fertitta Center. Supplies are limited, and fans are encouraged to purchase soon before they run out.

To purchase single-game tickets, fans may call the Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours or click here any time.

For the third straight season, the Cougars sold out of their season tickets for home games inside the Fertitta Center.

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.

TUNE IN
• Walker, Roberts and the Cougars return to action at 7 p.m., tonight (Monday, Nov. 14) when they play host to Oral Roberts in the first game of the Cougar Classic inside the Fertitta Center.
• Fans can watch Monday's game on ESPN+ with Matt Pedersen (play-by-play) and Houston great Reid Gettys (analyst) calling the action.
• Fans can hear Monday's game on 950 AM KPRC or The Varsity Network app with Jeremy Branham calling the action.
• Fans can follow live stats by visiting StatBroadcast.com and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.

UP NEXT
• Following Monday's game, the Cougars close out their time in the Cougar Classic when they play host to Texas Southern at 7 p.m., Wednesday, against Texas Southern inside the Fertitta Center.
• That game will air on ESPN+.
• From there, the Cougars hit the road for their first true road test of the game when they face Oregon at 8:30 p.m. (CST) Sunday inside Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore. That game will be shown on ESPN.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC.

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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