Houston’s Emanuel Sharp Named The American Freshman of the Week

HOUSTON – After leading the University of Houston Men's Basketball program to a big win to close its non-conference regular-season schedule, redshirt freshman guard Emanuel Sharp and sophomore center Ja'Vier Francis earned the first American Athletic Conference weekly awards of their careers.

Sharp was honored as The American Freshman of the Week while Francis was named to the league's Honor Roll following the Cougars' 83-44 win over McNeese inside the Fertitta Center on Wednesday.

With that victory, the Cougars closed the regular-season non-conference schedule with a 12-1 mark. It tied the 1954-55 team for the second-most regular-season non-conference wins in school history and trailed only the record 13 by the 2018-19 squad.

ABOUT EMANUEL SHARP
Sharp enjoyed an outstanding performance early in his young career against McNeese.

The Tampa, Fla., native scored a career-high 18 points, thanks to another personal-best six 3-pointers. Sharp connected on 6-of-10 3-pointers in the game as he doubled his previous personal single-game highs in both points and 3-pointers made.

With six treys, Sharp tied with current teammate Marcus Sasser for the second most 3-point field goals in a game by a Cougar freshman and trailed only the record seven by Lamar Roberson against Florida Tech on Nov. 22, 2022.

As the Cougars' used a 20-2 run over an eight-and-a-half minute stretch in the first half to build a big lead, Sharp led the way for the Cougars, scoring nine points in that rally.

This season, Sharp is tied for second among the Cougars with 14 3-pointers and leads the team with a 45.2 3-point field goal percentage.

ABOUT JA'VIER FRANCIS
Like Sharp, Francis enjoyed an outstanding performance early in his young career against McNeese.

Francis enjoyed a career day against the Cowboys. The New Orleans native led all players with a career-high 23 points and added a game-high 13 rebounds for his team-leading third double-double of the season.

Francis connected on all nine shots from the field, thanks to a game-high seven dunks, and blocked a shot against the Cowboys. It was the ninth game this season in which the Montverde Academy product swatted at least one opposing shot.

This season, Francis leads the Cougars with 1.7 blocked shots per game and ranks third on the team with 4.9 rebounds per contest.

SMU guard Zhuric Phelps was named The American Player of the Week. Francis was joined on the Honor Roll by UCF guard Darius Johnson, Memphis forward DeAndre Williams, South Florida guard Tyler Harris and Tulane guard Jalen Cook.

BUY 2022-23 TICKETS
Fans may 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.
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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.

UP NEXT
• Sharp, Francis and the Cougars opens their American Athletic Conference slate when they face Tulsa at 8 p.m., Wednesday, inside the Reynolds Center in Tulsa, Okla. That game will air on ESPNU.
• From there, the Cougars open their league schedule in the Fertitta Center when they play host to UCF at 1 p.m., New Year's Eve. That game will air 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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