University of Houston Athletics
Men’s Hoops Claims American Postseason Honors
3/8/2022 7:02:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Kelvin Sampson named league’s Coach of the Year for third time; Fabian White Jr. & Josh Carlton named to First Team; Kyler Edwards & Jamal Shead earn places on Second and Third teams
HOUSTON – University of Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson, seniors Fabian White Jr., Josh Carlton and Kyler Edwards and sophomore point guard Jamal Shead received postseason honors from the American Athletic Conference, the league announced Wednesday morning.
For the third time in his Houston career, Sampson was named The American Coach of the Year, while White and Carlton earned places on the All-American Athletic Conference First Team. Edwards was named to the league's Second Team, and Shead collected the first postseason award of his career as a member of the Third Team.
Entering this week's American Athletic Conference Championship, Houston has posted a 26-5 overall record with a 15-3 mark in league play for the program third regular-season title in the last four years. The Cougars – who are ranked at No. 18 in both national polls – are poised for their fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance with Selection Sunday coming this weekend.
ABOUT KELVIN SAMPSON
In his eighth season at Houston, Sampson has led the 18th-ranked Cougars to the top of the league standings. It was the program's third regular-season championship in the last four years, a first in program history.
After losing four starters from last year's NCAA Final Four squad, his 2021-22 team's impressive accomplishments came after losing Preseason All-American Athletic Conference First-Team guard Marcus Sasser and sophomore guard Tramon Mark to season-ending injuries in December 2021.
Sampson became the first coach in program history to receive three conference Coach of the Year honors. Hall of Fame Coach Guy V. Lewis received two awards from the Southwest Conference in 1984 and 1983.
This is the is the seventh conference Coach of the Year honor for Sampson from his fourth different league during his award-winning career. He previously received the American award in 2018 and 2019.
Now in his 33rd season as a collegiate head coach, Sampson has compiled a 693-339 overall record with a 193-69 mark at Houston. He is one of only 16 coaches to lead multiple schools to the NCAA Final Four and ranks as the winningest coach in Houston career history with a .737 career winning percentage.
Sampson is the only coach in Houston history to lead the Cougars to seven consecutive 20-win seasons and has guided UH to the nation's second-best record (137-29) since 2017-18, trailing only No. 1/1 Gonzaga.
ABOUT FABIAN WHITE Jr.
White earned his first American postseason honor after leading the Cougars. The Atascocita, Texas, native average 13.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.2 blocked shots per game to rank among the league's leaders in each category.
A two-time American Athletic Conference Player of the Week in 2021-22, White is the only Cougar to start all 31 games to date this season and has scored 20+ points in six games, including three of the last four.
White poured in a career-high 28 points with 10 rebounds against Cincinnati on March 1 as the Cougars clinched The American regular-season championship and has tallied a team-best four double-doubles this season.
In addition to his accomplishments this season, White has etched his name in the Houston records book. He became the winningest player in school history and has played in 115 wins entering The American Championship and has competed games in 142 games during his career.
White also moved past the 1,000-point milestone this season, becoming the 49th student-athlete in school history to reach that milestone with the Cougars.
ABOUT JOSH CARLTON
Competing in his first season with the Cougars, Carlton has been a leader in the frontcourt in 2021-22.
After graduating and transferring from UConn, Carlton has averaged 11.8 points and a team-best 6.6 rebounds per game at Houston. He has enjoyed three 20-point games this season with a UH season-high 30 points on 11-of-16 shooting in a road win at South Florida on Jan. 5.
The Winterville, N.C., native leads The American and ranks 15th nationally with 3.4 offensive rebounds per contest and stands seventh in the league with 1.2 blocked shots per game.
Carlton also became a 1,000-point scorer in his career this season, reaching that total in a road win at Cincinnati on Feb. 6.
ABOUT KYLER EDWARDS
Edwards is in his first season with the Cougars after transferring from Texas Tech. In 2021-22, he leads the available Cougars with 13.6 points per game and stands second on the team with 5.9 rebounds per contest.
The Arlington, Texas, native is one of only three players to rank among The American's Top-15 leaders in both scoring and rebounding. Edwards ranks among the league leaders with 2.5 3-pointers per game and a 32.6 3-point field goal percentage and stands fourth with a 1.98 assist-turnover ratio.
A two-time American Player of the Week honoree, Edwards posted 22 games with double-digit points, including a career-high 29 points in a road win at Tulsa on Jan. 15.
Edwards was the first of four Cougars to move past 1,000 points during their careers this season after scoring 13 points against Oklahoma State at Hoop Hype XL inside Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 18, 2021.
ABOUT JAMAL SHEAD
Shead is in his first season as the Cougars' starting point guard and earned the first postseason honor of his career.
The Manor, Texas, native leads the Cougars and The American with 5.9 assists per game and a 2.92 assist-turnover ratio. He is tied with White and Carlton for the team lead and ranks third in the league with four double-doubles in 2021-22.
Shead has enjoyed four games this season with double-digit assists, including a career-high and Fertitta Center-record 13 dimes in the Cougars' Senior Night win over Temple on Thursday.
With 184 assists to date, his total ranks seventh in Houston single-season history.
SMU guard Kendric Davis was named the league's Player of the Year, while Wichita State guard Dexter Dennis was named the Defensive Player of the Year.
Memphis center Jalen Duren was a unanimous selection as the Freshman of the Year, while Wichita State guard Ricky Council IV was honored as the Sixth Man of the Year. Tulane forward Kevin Cross was named the Most Improved Player, while Tulsa guard Darien Jackson received the Sportsmanship Award.
White and Carlton were joined on the First Team by Davis, Duren and Tulane guard Jalen Cook.
Edwards was joined on the Second Team by East Carolina guard Tristen Newton, Memphis forward DeAndre Williams, SMU forward Marcus Weathers, Temple guard Damian Dunn and Tulane guard Jaylen Forbes.
Shead was joined on the Third Team by Cross, UCF guard Darrin Green Jr., Cincinnati guard David DeJulius, and Wichita State guard Tyson Etienne.
For the third time in his Houston career, Sampson was named The American Coach of the Year, while White and Carlton earned places on the All-American Athletic Conference First Team. Edwards was named to the league's Second Team, and Shead collected the first postseason award of his career as a member of the Third Team.
Entering this week's American Athletic Conference Championship, Houston has posted a 26-5 overall record with a 15-3 mark in league play for the program third regular-season title in the last four years. The Cougars – who are ranked at No. 18 in both national polls – are poised for their fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance with Selection Sunday coming this weekend.
ABOUT KELVIN SAMPSONIn his eighth season at Houston, Sampson has led the 18th-ranked Cougars to the top of the league standings. It was the program's third regular-season championship in the last four years, a first in program history.
After losing four starters from last year's NCAA Final Four squad, his 2021-22 team's impressive accomplishments came after losing Preseason All-American Athletic Conference First-Team guard Marcus Sasser and sophomore guard Tramon Mark to season-ending injuries in December 2021.
Sampson became the first coach in program history to receive three conference Coach of the Year honors. Hall of Fame Coach Guy V. Lewis received two awards from the Southwest Conference in 1984 and 1983.
This is the is the seventh conference Coach of the Year honor for Sampson from his fourth different league during his award-winning career. He previously received the American award in 2018 and 2019.
Now in his 33rd season as a collegiate head coach, Sampson has compiled a 693-339 overall record with a 193-69 mark at Houston. He is one of only 16 coaches to lead multiple schools to the NCAA Final Four and ranks as the winningest coach in Houston career history with a .737 career winning percentage.
Sampson is the only coach in Houston history to lead the Cougars to seven consecutive 20-win seasons and has guided UH to the nation's second-best record (137-29) since 2017-18, trailing only No. 1/1 Gonzaga.
ABOUT FABIAN WHITE Jr.White earned his first American postseason honor after leading the Cougars. The Atascocita, Texas, native average 13.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.2 blocked shots per game to rank among the league's leaders in each category.
A two-time American Athletic Conference Player of the Week in 2021-22, White is the only Cougar to start all 31 games to date this season and has scored 20+ points in six games, including three of the last four.
White poured in a career-high 28 points with 10 rebounds against Cincinnati on March 1 as the Cougars clinched The American regular-season championship and has tallied a team-best four double-doubles this season.
In addition to his accomplishments this season, White has etched his name in the Houston records book. He became the winningest player in school history and has played in 115 wins entering The American Championship and has competed games in 142 games during his career.
White also moved past the 1,000-point milestone this season, becoming the 49th student-athlete in school history to reach that milestone with the Cougars.
ABOUT JOSH CARLTONCompeting in his first season with the Cougars, Carlton has been a leader in the frontcourt in 2021-22.
After graduating and transferring from UConn, Carlton has averaged 11.8 points and a team-best 6.6 rebounds per game at Houston. He has enjoyed three 20-point games this season with a UH season-high 30 points on 11-of-16 shooting in a road win at South Florida on Jan. 5.
The Winterville, N.C., native leads The American and ranks 15th nationally with 3.4 offensive rebounds per contest and stands seventh in the league with 1.2 blocked shots per game.
Carlton also became a 1,000-point scorer in his career this season, reaching that total in a road win at Cincinnati on Feb. 6.
ABOUT KYLER EDWARDSEdwards is in his first season with the Cougars after transferring from Texas Tech. In 2021-22, he leads the available Cougars with 13.6 points per game and stands second on the team with 5.9 rebounds per contest.
The Arlington, Texas, native is one of only three players to rank among The American's Top-15 leaders in both scoring and rebounding. Edwards ranks among the league leaders with 2.5 3-pointers per game and a 32.6 3-point field goal percentage and stands fourth with a 1.98 assist-turnover ratio.
A two-time American Player of the Week honoree, Edwards posted 22 games with double-digit points, including a career-high 29 points in a road win at Tulsa on Jan. 15.
Edwards was the first of four Cougars to move past 1,000 points during their careers this season after scoring 13 points against Oklahoma State at Hoop Hype XL inside Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 18, 2021.
ABOUT JAMAL SHEADShead is in his first season as the Cougars' starting point guard and earned the first postseason honor of his career.
The Manor, Texas, native leads the Cougars and The American with 5.9 assists per game and a 2.92 assist-turnover ratio. He is tied with White and Carlton for the team lead and ranks third in the league with four double-doubles in 2021-22.
Shead has enjoyed four games this season with double-digit assists, including a career-high and Fertitta Center-record 13 dimes in the Cougars' Senior Night win over Temple on Thursday.
With 184 assists to date, his total ranks seventh in Houston single-season history.
SMU guard Kendric Davis was named the league's Player of the Year, while Wichita State guard Dexter Dennis was named the Defensive Player of the Year.
Memphis center Jalen Duren was a unanimous selection as the Freshman of the Year, while Wichita State guard Ricky Council IV was honored as the Sixth Man of the Year. Tulane forward Kevin Cross was named the Most Improved Player, while Tulsa guard Darien Jackson received the Sportsmanship Award.
White and Carlton were joined on the First Team by Davis, Duren and Tulane guard Jalen Cook.
Edwards was joined on the Second Team by East Carolina guard Tristen Newton, Memphis forward DeAndre Williams, SMU forward Marcus Weathers, Temple guard Damian Dunn and Tulane guard Jaylen Forbes.
Shead was joined on the Third Team by Cross, UCF guard Darrin Green Jr., Cincinnati guard David DeJulius, and Wichita State guard Tyson Etienne.
2021-22 AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL HONORS
Player of the Year: Kendric Davis, Sr., G, SMU
Coach of the Year: Kelvin Sampson, Houston
Defensive Player of the Year: Dexter Dennis, Jr., G, Wichita State
Freshman of the Year: Jalen Duren, C, Memphis*
Sixth Man of the Year: Ricky Council IV, Fr., G, Wichita State
Most Improved Player of the Year: Kevin Cross, So., F, Tulane
Sportsmanship Award: Darien Jackson, Sr., G, Tulsa
* – unanimous selection
Coach of the Year: Kelvin Sampson, Houston
Defensive Player of the Year: Dexter Dennis, Jr., G, Wichita State
Freshman of the Year: Jalen Duren, C, Memphis*
Sixth Man of the Year: Ricky Council IV, Fr., G, Wichita State
Most Improved Player of the Year: Kevin Cross, So., F, Tulane
Sportsmanship Award: Darien Jackson, Sr., G, Tulsa
| FIRST TEAM | Class | Position | School |
| Josh Carlton | Gr. | F | Houston |
| Fabian White Jr. | Gr. | F | Houston |
| Jalen Duren | Fr. | C | Memphis |
| * Kendric Davis | Sr. | G | SMU |
| Jalen Cook | Fr. | G | Tulane |
| SECOND TEAM | |||
| Kyler Edwards | Sr. | G | Houston |
| Tristen Newton | So. | G | East Carolina |
| DeAndre Williams | Sr. | F | Memphis |
| Marcus Weathers | Sr. | F | SMU |
| Damian Dunn | So. | G | Temple |
| Jaylen Forbes | So. | G | Tulane |
| THIRD TEAM | |||
| Jamal Shead | So. | G | Houston |
| Darin Green Jr. | Jr. | G | UCF |
| David DeJulius | Sr. | G | Cincinnati |
| Kevin Cross | So. | F | Tulane |
| Tyson Etienne | So. | G | Wichita State |
| ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM | |||
| Darius Johnson | G | UCF | |
| Jalen Duren * | C | Memphis | |
| Josh Minott | F | Memphis | |
| Zach Hicks | G | Temple | |
| Jahlil White | G | Temple |
UP NEXT
• Playing as the No. 1 seed, Houston take its first steps in the postseason when it faces the winner of (8) Cincinnati-(9) East Carolina in the Quarterfinals at Noon, Friday. The game will air on ESPN2.
• With a win in the Quarterfinals, the Cougars advance to the Semifinals, set for 2 p.m., Saturday. That game will air on ESPN2.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC.
2022-23 SEASON TICKETS PRIORITY WAIT LIST
Fans who were unable to secure 2021-22 season tickets may start preparing for next season by putting down a $75 deposit and placing their names on the 2022-23 Men's Basketball Season Ticket Priority Wait List by clicking here.
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
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