University of Houston Athletics
Photo by: Stephen Pinchback
Jarace Walker, Jamal Shead Earn The American Weekly Honors
1/30/2023 10:53:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Walker named league’s Freshman of the Week for fifth time; Shead named to Honor Roll
HOUSTON – University of Houston freshman forward Jarace Walker and junior point guard Jamal Shead received awards from the American Athletic Conference on Monday for their performances in a pair of wins last week.
Walker was named The American Freshman of the Week for the second straight week and the fifth time in 2022-23. Shead earned a place on the league's Honor Roll for the first time this season.
Both student-athletes led the Cougars to a road win at UCF on Wednesday and the gritty home victory over Cincinnati inside the Fertitta Center on Saturday afternoon.
With those wins, the Cougars improved to 20-2 overall and maintained their lead atop the American Athletic Conference standings with an 8-1 league mark. It marked the eight straight season in which the Cougars posted a 20-win season under Head Coach Kelvin Sampson, a first in school history.
For the fourth time this season, University of Houston forward Jarace Walker was named the American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Week.
ABOUT JARACE WALKER
Walker averaged a team-best 21.5 points and 1.5 blocks per game while hitting 66.7 percent of his shots from the field in wins at UCF and against Cincinnati. He finished second among the Cougars with 5.5 rebounds per contest and was third on the squad with 2.5 assists per game.
The New Freedom, Pa., native scored 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting in a tough road atmosphere at UCF on Wednesday. Walker also grabbed four rebounds and dished out three assists with a block and steal.
He enjoyed a career day against Cincinnati in a come-from-behind win in front of a national audience on CBS. Walker led all players and posted a career-high 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting from the field and added a game-high seven rebounds
It was his fourth 20-point game of the season and topped his previous scoring high of 23 points against SMU (Jan. 5) and vs. Saint Joseph's (Nov. 11).
Walker also added two assists with blocks and only one turnover while playing a career-high 37:07 in the Cougars' eighth straight win against the Bearcats.
This season, Walker ranks second among the Cougars with 11.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. His rebounding average ranks fourth in Houston freshmen single-season history, trailing only Clyde Drexler (10.5 rpg in 1980-81), George Williams (8.5 rpg in 1999-00) and TaShawn Thomas (8.2 rpg in 2011-12).
ABOUT JAMAL SHEAD
Shead was a leader for the Cougars in both wins last week. The Manor, Texas, native averaged 13.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and a team-best 7.5 assists per game.
Facing a hostile crowd at UCF, Shead scored 14 points and dished out a game-high 10 assists for his second double-double of the season and the seventh of his career. Playing all but 3:22, Shead connected on 5-of-9 from the field and posted only one turnover while grabbing six rebounds, including a team-high-tying three offensive boards.
He finished with 13 points, five assists and only one turnover while battling through foul trouble and buried the game's biggest shot. With the score tied at 69, Shead drilled a step-back jumper with only 47 seconds remaining to give the Cougars lead for good.
Shead buried a pair of free throws with just 14 seconds left to push the Houston advantage for 73-69.
This season, Shead leads the Cougars and ranks third in the American Athletic Conference with 5.2 assists per game. He also stands second in the league and 27th nationally with a 2.17 assist-turnover radio.
With a team-best 114 assists in 2022-23, Shead became the 20th player in school history to post multiple 100-assist seasons during his career and currently stands eighth in Houston history with 374 career assists to date.
Memphis guard Kendric Davis and Temple guard Khalif Battle shared the league's Player of the Week award. Cincinnati guard Landers Nolley II, East Carolina guard RJ Felton, Tulane guard Jalen Cook and Wichita State guard Craig Porter Jr. joined Shead on the weekly Honor Roll.
UP NEXT
• Walker, Shead and the Cougars open the month of February with a road contest at Wichita State at 8 p.m., Thursday, inside Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kan. That game will air on ESPN2.
• The Cougars then meet Temple at 5 p.m. (CST), Sunday, 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.
• Houston faces Tulsa at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 8, inside the Fertitta Center in a game played on ESPN+.
•The Cougars took an 89-50 win over the Golden Hurricane in Tulsa, Okla., on Dec. 28, to open the American Athletic Conference season.
• 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.
Walker was named The American Freshman of the Week for the second straight week and the fifth time in 2022-23. Shead earned a place on the league's Honor Roll for the first time this season.
Both student-athletes led the Cougars to a road win at UCF on Wednesday and the gritty home victory over Cincinnati inside the Fertitta Center on Saturday afternoon.
With those wins, the Cougars improved to 20-2 overall and maintained their lead atop the American Athletic Conference standings with an 8-1 league mark. It marked the eight straight season in which the Cougars posted a 20-win season under Head Coach Kelvin Sampson, a first in school history.
For the fourth time this season, University of Houston forward Jarace Walker was named the American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Week.
ABOUT JARACE WALKERWalker averaged a team-best 21.5 points and 1.5 blocks per game while hitting 66.7 percent of his shots from the field in wins at UCF and against Cincinnati. He finished second among the Cougars with 5.5 rebounds per contest and was third on the squad with 2.5 assists per game.
The New Freedom, Pa., native scored 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting in a tough road atmosphere at UCF on Wednesday. Walker also grabbed four rebounds and dished out three assists with a block and steal.
He enjoyed a career day against Cincinnati in a come-from-behind win in front of a national audience on CBS. Walker led all players and posted a career-high 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting from the field and added a game-high seven rebounds
It was his fourth 20-point game of the season and topped his previous scoring high of 23 points against SMU (Jan. 5) and vs. Saint Joseph's (Nov. 11).
Walker also added two assists with blocks and only one turnover while playing a career-high 37:07 in the Cougars' eighth straight win against the Bearcats.
This season, Walker ranks second among the Cougars with 11.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. His rebounding average ranks fourth in Houston freshmen single-season history, trailing only Clyde Drexler (10.5 rpg in 1980-81), George Williams (8.5 rpg in 1999-00) and TaShawn Thomas (8.2 rpg in 2011-12).
ABOUT JAMAL SHEADShead was a leader for the Cougars in both wins last week. The Manor, Texas, native averaged 13.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and a team-best 7.5 assists per game.
Facing a hostile crowd at UCF, Shead scored 14 points and dished out a game-high 10 assists for his second double-double of the season and the seventh of his career. Playing all but 3:22, Shead connected on 5-of-9 from the field and posted only one turnover while grabbing six rebounds, including a team-high-tying three offensive boards.
He finished with 13 points, five assists and only one turnover while battling through foul trouble and buried the game's biggest shot. With the score tied at 69, Shead drilled a step-back jumper with only 47 seconds remaining to give the Cougars lead for good.
Shead buried a pair of free throws with just 14 seconds left to push the Houston advantage for 73-69.
This season, Shead leads the Cougars and ranks third in the American Athletic Conference with 5.2 assists per game. He also stands second in the league and 27th nationally with a 2.17 assist-turnover radio.
With a team-best 114 assists in 2022-23, Shead became the 20th player in school history to post multiple 100-assist seasons during his career and currently stands eighth in Houston history with 374 career assists to date.
Memphis guard Kendric Davis and Temple guard Khalif Battle shared the league's Player of the Week award. Cincinnati guard Landers Nolley II, East Carolina guard RJ Felton, Tulane guard Jalen Cook and Wichita State guard Craig Porter Jr. joined Shead on the weekly Honor Roll.
UP NEXT
• Walker, Shead and the Cougars open the month of February with a road contest at Wichita State at 8 p.m., Thursday, inside Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kan. That game will air on ESPN2.
• The Cougars then meet Temple at 5 p.m. (CST), Sunday, 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.
• Houston faces Tulsa at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 8, inside the Fertitta Center in a game played on ESPN+.
•The Cougars took an 89-50 win over the Golden Hurricane in Tulsa, Okla., on Dec. 28, to open the American Athletic Conference season.
• 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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