University of Houston Athletics

Jamal Shead Named to Bob Cousy Award Preseason Watch List
10/23/2023 11:36:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Senior point guard is one of 20 candidates to be recognized nationally
HOUSTON – University of Houston senior point guard Jamal Shead was one of 20 candidates nationally named to the Bob Cousy Award Watch List, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced Monday.
A national committee of top college basketball personnel determined the Preseason Watch List.
Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, in each of the three rounds starting on Friday. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2024 Bob Cousy Award will be narrowed to 10, and then in late February, to just five.
In March, the five finalists will be presented to Cousy and the Hall of Fame's selection committee, where a winner will be selected.
The winner of the 2024 Bob Cousy Award will be presented on a to be determined date, along with the other four members of the Men's Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Jerry West Award (Shooting Guard), Julius Erving Award (Small Forward), Karl Malone (Power Forward), and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award (Center), in addition to the Women's Starting Five.
ABOUT JAMAL SHEAD
Shead has been a leader with the Cougars for three seasons and enters the 2023-24 campaign with 460 career assists to rank seventh in school history.
As a junior a year ago, he was named the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year while averaging 10.5 points per game with a team-high 200 assists. The Manor, Texas, native joined Houston great Reid Gettys as the only players in school history with multiple seasons with 200+ assists.
Shead recorded a pair of double-doubles in 2022-23 and enjoyed 19 games with 5+ assists and 24 games with two or fewer turnovers.
He was one of only 10 student-athletes to rank among the nation's Top-30 leaders in both assists per game and assist-turnover ratio.
In 2021-22, Shead led Houston to the NCAA Elite and was named to the NCAA Tournament All-Regional Team, becoming only the third sophomore in school history to earn that honor, joining Hakeem Olajuwon (1984) and Elvin Hayes (1968).

2023-24 BOB COUSY AWARD CANDIDATES
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 as we begin Big 12 competition. 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.
A national committee of top college basketball personnel determined the Preseason Watch List.
Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, in each of the three rounds starting on Friday. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2024 Bob Cousy Award will be narrowed to 10, and then in late February, to just five.In March, the five finalists will be presented to Cousy and the Hall of Fame's selection committee, where a winner will be selected.
The winner of the 2024 Bob Cousy Award will be presented on a to be determined date, along with the other four members of the Men's Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Jerry West Award (Shooting Guard), Julius Erving Award (Small Forward), Karl Malone (Power Forward), and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award (Center), in addition to the Women's Starting Five.
ABOUT JAMAL SHEAD
Shead has been a leader with the Cougars for three seasons and enters the 2023-24 campaign with 460 career assists to rank seventh in school history.
As a junior a year ago, he was named the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year while averaging 10.5 points per game with a team-high 200 assists. The Manor, Texas, native joined Houston great Reid Gettys as the only players in school history with multiple seasons with 200+ assists.
Shead recorded a pair of double-doubles in 2022-23 and enjoyed 19 games with 5+ assists and 24 games with two or fewer turnovers.
He was one of only 10 student-athletes to rank among the nation's Top-30 leaders in both assists per game and assist-turnover ratio.
In 2021-22, Shead led Houston to the NCAA Elite and was named to the NCAA Tournament All-Regional Team, becoming only the third sophomore in school history to earn that honor, joining Hakeem Olajuwon (1984) and Elvin Hayes (1968).

2023-24 BOB COUSY AWARD CANDIDATES
| Name | School |
| Jamal Shead | Houston |
| Isaiah Stevens | Colorado State |
| Steven Ashworth | Creighton |
| Tyrese Proctor | Duke |
| Ryan Nembhard | Gonzaga |
| Dajuan Harris Jr. | Kansas |
| DJ Wagner | Kentucky |
| Tyler Kolek | Marquette |
| Jahmir Young | Maryland |
| Jahvon Quinerly | Memphis |
| Nijel Pack | Miami (Fla.) |
| RJ Davis | North Carolina |
| Boo Buie | Northwestern |
| Ace Baldwin Jr. | Penn State |
| Judah Mintz | Syracuse |
| Zakai Zeigler | Tennessee |
| Max Abmas | Texas |
| Wade Taylor IV | Texas A&M |
| Tristen Newton | UConn |
| Isaiah Collier | USC |
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 as we begin Big 12 competition. 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 –
Players Mentioned
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