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Sasser Named to Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List
1/26/2023 1:44:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch ListBuy 2022-23 Single-Game Tickets2023-23 Season Ticket Wait ListSupport Houston RiseJoin 50-50 Club
Senior guard is one of 15 student-athletes nationally to be recognized
HOUSTON – University of Houston senior guard Marcus Sasser was named to the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Thursday.
One of the nation's offensive stars, Sasser has been just as much of a leader for the Cougars on the defensive end of the court in 2022-23.
The Dallas native leads the Cougars and ranks seventh in the American Athletic Conference with 1.9 steals per game. Sasser has recorded at least one steal in all but five games with multiple steals in 10 contests this season.
A four-year letterman, Sasser leads the defensive efforts in the backcourt for the Cougars, who lead the nation in scoring margin (+21.2 ppg), rank second in the country in field goal percentage defense (34.7) and scoring defense (54.2 ppg) and stand fourth in 3-point field goal percentage defense (26.0).
The Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award is annually presented to the nation's most outstanding defensive basketball player who achieves tremendous on-court success. The award has been presented annually since 1969.
MORE ABOUT MARCUS SASSER
Sasser has been a leader for Houston as the Cougars have competed among the nation's Top-Five teams in both polls throughout the 2022-23 season.
The Dallas native leads the Cougars and ranks seventh in The American with 16.6 points per game and has drained a team-high 57 3-pointers this season. He also ranks second among the Cougars and among The American's Top-15 leaders with 3.2 assists and a 2.23 assist-turnover ratio.
He became the 50th 1,000-point scorer in Houston history earlier this season and stands 29th in Houston career history with 1,202 points to date.
Sasser also ranks fourth in Houston career history with 237 3-pointers and needs only 25 more treys to set the school record in that category.
NAISMITH DEFENSIVE PLAYER of the YEAR WATCH LIST
UP NEXT
• Sasser and the Cougars return to action when they meet Cincinnati at 1:15 p.m., Sunday, inside the Fertitta Center. That game will air on CBS.One of the nation's offensive stars, Sasser has been just as much of a leader for the Cougars on the defensive end of the court in 2022-23.
The Dallas native leads the Cougars and ranks seventh in the American Athletic Conference with 1.9 steals per game. Sasser has recorded at least one steal in all but five games with multiple steals in 10 contests this season.
A four-year letterman, Sasser leads the defensive efforts in the backcourt for the Cougars, who lead the nation in scoring margin (+21.2 ppg), rank second in the country in field goal percentage defense (34.7) and scoring defense (54.2 ppg) and stand fourth in 3-point field goal percentage defense (26.0).
The Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award is annually presented to the nation's most outstanding defensive basketball player who achieves tremendous on-court success. The award has been presented annually since 1969.
MORE ABOUT MARCUS SASSER
Sasser has been a leader for Houston as the Cougars have competed among the nation's Top-Five teams in both polls throughout the 2022-23 season.
The Dallas native leads the Cougars and ranks seventh in The American with 16.6 points per game and has drained a team-high 57 3-pointers this season. He also ranks second among the Cougars and among The American's Top-15 leaders with 3.2 assists and a 2.23 assist-turnover ratio.
He became the 50th 1,000-point scorer in Houston history earlier this season and stands 29th in Houston career history with 1,202 points to date.
Sasser also ranks fourth in Houston career history with 237 3-pointers and needs only 25 more treys to set the school record in that category.
NAISMITH DEFENSIVE PLAYER of the YEAR WATCH LIST
|
Player
|
School | Position | Class |
| Marcus Sasser | Houston | Guard | Senior |
| Chase Audige | Northwestern | Guard | Senior |
| Leaky Black | North Carolina | Forward | Grad Student |
| Moussa Cisse | Oklahoma State | Forward | Junior |
| Jaylen Clark | UCLA | Guard | Junior |
| Zach Edey | Purdue | Forward | Junior |
| Andre Jackson Jr. | UConn | Guard | Junior |
| Trayce Jackson-Davis | Indiana | Forward | Senior |
| Ryan Kalkbrenner | Creighton | Center | Junior |
| Caleb McConnell | Rutgers | Guard | Fifth Year |
| Kevin McCullar Jr. | Kansas | Guard | Senior |
| Shakeel Moore | Mississippi State | Guard | Junior |
| Jamarion Sharp | WKU | Center | Junior |
| Oscar Tshiebwe | Kentucky | Forward | Senior |
| Zakai Zeigler | Tennessee | Guard | Sophomore |
UP NEXT
• The Cougars look to sweep the regular-season series against the Bearcats after taking a 72-59 win inside Fifth Third Arena on Jan. 8.
• From there, Houston opens the month of February with a road contest at Wichita State at 8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 2, inside Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kan. That game will air on ESPN2.
• The Cougars then meet Temple at 5 p.m. (CST), Sunday, Feb. 5, inside the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia. That game can be seen on ESPN.
• The Cougars look to split the regular-season series against falling against the Owls on Jan. 22 inside the Fertitta Center in Houston.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC.
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.
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.
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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