University of Houston Athletics
Men’s Hoops Earns Conference Postseason Honors
3/7/2023 6:55:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Six Cougars earn individual awards; Four named to First/Second Teams; Three on All-Freshman Squad
HOUSTON – After finishing the regular season with the nation's #1 ranking, a 29-2 record and the American Athletic Conference regular-season title for the fourth time in the last five years, the University of Houston Men's Basketball program received a multitude of postseason award from the league office Wednesday.
Senior guard Marcus Sasser was named The American Player of the Year and was a unanimous selection for the First Team. Head Coach Kelvin Sampson was named the league's Coach of the Year for the fourth time in the last five years. Junior point guard Jamal Shead was named the Defensive Player of the Year and earned a place on the Second Team.
Forward Jarace Walker was the Freshman of the Year, earned a place on the Second Team and was a unanimous selection for the All-Freshman Team. Guard Terrance Arceneaux and Emanuel Sharp joined Walker on the All-Freshman Team.
Junior forward J'Wan Roberts was named the Most Improved Player of the Year and received a nod on the Second Team. Senior forward Reggie Chaney was named the Sixth Man of the Year.
ABOUT KELVIN SAMPSON
Now in his ninth season with the Cougars, Sampson has led Houston to its first #1 ranking in the national polls since 1984, the program's most regular-season wins and a potential #1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
He earned the 700th win of his award-winning career in the season-opener against Northern Colorado inside the Fertitta and has led the Cougars to two 9-game winning streak and the program's current 11-game streak entering this week's American Athletic Conference Championship.
His Cougars lead the nation in winning percentage and scoring margin, rank second in scoring defense, field-goal percentage defense and 3-point field goal percentage defense and are among the Top 10 in turnover margin and rebounding margin.
This was his fourth American Coach of the Year honor in the last six years and the eighth conference Coach of the Year award from the fourth different league in his career.
ABOUT MARCUS SASSER
After electrifying Houston fans with his decision to return for his senior season in June 2022, Sasser lived up to the preseason hype.
He leads the Cougars and ranks sixth in the American Athletic Conference with 17.1 points per game and stands among the league's Top-10 leaders in assists (3.3 apg, 10th), free throw percentage (83.1, 7th), 3-point field goal percentage (38.2, 6th), 3-point field goals per game (2.7, 4th) and assist-turnover ratio (2.06, 5th).
The Dallas native has posted seven 20-point games this season, including a career-best 31 points against South Florida on Jan. 11 with a team-high 23 double-digit scoring games.
However, Sasser does far more than shoot and score for the Cougars. He ranks seventh in the league with 1.7 steals per game.
Sasser became the 50th 1,000-point scorer in Houston history earlier this season and stands among the Cougars' Top-20 career scoring leaders with 1,383 points to date.
With three 3-pointers in Sunday's thrilling win at Memphis, Sasser became the Cougars' career leader with 264 treys, moving past guard Robert McKiver.
ABOUT JAMAL SHEAD
Shead has been the floor general for the Cougars throughout the 2022-23 season.
As the defensive leader, he leads the Cougars with 56 steals and ranks sixth in The American with 1.8 steals per contest while called upon to defend opponents' offensive leaders in the backcourt.
The Manor, Texas, native leads the team with 167 assists, becoming the 20th player in school history to record multiple 100-assist seasons during his career. He currently ranks seventh in Houston history with 427 career assists.
He leads the Cougars and ranks second in the league with 5.4 assists per game and tops The American with a 2.93 assist-turnover ratio. Shead is one of only nine student-athletes to rank among the nation's Top-30 leaders in both assists and assist-turnover ratio.
ABOUT JARACE WALKER
Walker joined the Cougars as a much heralded recruit and exceeded those preseason expectations. In his collegiate debut, the New Freedom, Pa., native scored eight points and grabbed 12 rebounds in a win over Northern Colorado inside the Fertitta Center
This season, Walker ranks second among the Cougars and among The American's Top-20 leaders with 11.1 points and 6.7 rebounds per game and recorded double-doubles against North Florida and American rival SMU.
Walker finished with a game-high 17 points and seven rebounds and added four assists, a blocked shot and steal in the Cougars' road win at #2/2 Virginia. He was named the CBS Sports/USBWA National Freshman of the Week following that performance, the first of two national weekly honors in 2022-23.
He was named The American's Freshman of the Week six times, tying a school single-season record for weekly awards of any kind.
ABOUT J'WAN ROBERTS
Averaging 3.2 points and 4.9 rebounds a year ago, Roberts boosted his season totals to 10.5 points and a team-best 7.2 rebounds per game in 2022-23.
He leads the Cougars and ranks among The American leaders with five double-doubles, including a 20-point, 12-rebound performance against Memphis inside the Fertitta Center on Feb. 19.
The Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, native leads the league with a 64.9 field goal percentage and has connected on at least 50.0 percent from the field in all but four games this season.
Roberts scored a career-high 26 points on 9-of-10 shooting against Tulane to set a Fertitta Center record and was named to The American's weekly Honor Roll five times.
ABOUT REGGIE CHANEY
A three year-letterman and veteran leader for the Cougars, Chaney has embraced his role in the frontcourt off the bench this season.
Despite battling through injuries the last two years, the Tulsa, Okla., native has competed in all 29 games in 2022-23 and scored eight points with seven rebounds and a pair of steals against #8/10 Alabama inside the Fertitta Center on Dec. 10.
Chaney grabbed six rebounds, including four offensive board, in the Cougars' road win at Wichita State and scored six points with three rebounds at Temple as the Cougars' avenged one of their only losses.
ABOUT TERRANCE ARCENEAUX
Arceneaux earned the first postseason honor of his career as a true freshman, playing in all but three games.
The Beaumont, Texas, native led the Cougars to their first true road win of the season with 15 points, three 3-pointers and five rebounds at rv/rv Oregon on Nov. 20, 2022, and added 10 points with five rebounds in a home win over SMU inside the Fertitta Center on Jan. 5.
A versatile all-around athlete, Arceneaux recorded three double-digit scoring games and added six games with 5+ rebounds.
ABOUT EMANUEL SHARP
Competing as a redshirt freshman in 2022-23, Sharp has been a talented long-range shooter for the Cougars.
He opened his collegiate career with 11 points and three 3-pointers in the season-opening win over Northern Colorado and added 10 points with three rebounds and two assists in a home win over North Carolina A&T.
The Tampa, Fla., native drained six 3-pointers on the way to a career-high 18 points in the regular-season, non-conference finale against McNeese inside the Fertitta Center. His total tied for the second most 3-point field goals by a Cougar freshman in school history and was only away from the school record.
Sharp went on to tie his career high with 18 points, thanks to 4-of-6 shooting from behind the arc, in the Cougars' road win at American Athletic Conference rival UCF on Jan. 25.
2022-23 ALL-AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE POSTSEASON AWARDS
PLAYER of the YEAR
Marcus Sasser, Senior, Guard, Houston
COACH of the YEAR
Kelvin Sampson, Houston
DEFENSIVE PLAYER of the YEAR
Jamal Shead, Junior, Guard, Houston
FRESHMAN of the YEAR
Jarace Walker, Forward, Houston
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER of the YEAR
J'Wan Roberts, Junior, Forward, Houston
SIXTH MAN of the YEAR
Reggie Chaney, Senior, Forward, Houston
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Ludgy Debaut, Graduate, Center, East Carolina
Sion James, Sophomore, Guard, Tulane
ALL-CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM
ALL-CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM
ALL-CONFERENCE THIRD TEAM
ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
BUY 2022-23 TICKETS
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.
For the third straight season, the Cougars sold out of their season tickets for home games inside the Fertitta Center.
UP NEXT
• The Cougars take their first steps in the postseason when they compete for the last time at the American Athletic Conference Championship inside Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
• The Cougars begin the postseason in the Quarterfinals when they face the winner of the (8) South Florida /(9) East Carolina game at Noon, Friday.
• With a win in Friday's matchup, Houston would advance to the Semifinals, set for 2 p.m., Saturday.
• 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.
Senior guard Marcus Sasser was named The American Player of the Year and was a unanimous selection for the First Team. Head Coach Kelvin Sampson was named the league's Coach of the Year for the fourth time in the last five years. Junior point guard Jamal Shead was named the Defensive Player of the Year and earned a place on the Second Team.
Forward Jarace Walker was the Freshman of the Year, earned a place on the Second Team and was a unanimous selection for the All-Freshman Team. Guard Terrance Arceneaux and Emanuel Sharp joined Walker on the All-Freshman Team.
Junior forward J'Wan Roberts was named the Most Improved Player of the Year and received a nod on the Second Team. Senior forward Reggie Chaney was named the Sixth Man of the Year.
ABOUT KELVIN SAMPSONNow in his ninth season with the Cougars, Sampson has led Houston to its first #1 ranking in the national polls since 1984, the program's most regular-season wins and a potential #1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
He earned the 700th win of his award-winning career in the season-opener against Northern Colorado inside the Fertitta and has led the Cougars to two 9-game winning streak and the program's current 11-game streak entering this week's American Athletic Conference Championship.
His Cougars lead the nation in winning percentage and scoring margin, rank second in scoring defense, field-goal percentage defense and 3-point field goal percentage defense and are among the Top 10 in turnover margin and rebounding margin.
This was his fourth American Coach of the Year honor in the last six years and the eighth conference Coach of the Year award from the fourth different league in his career.
ABOUT MARCUS SASSERAfter electrifying Houston fans with his decision to return for his senior season in June 2022, Sasser lived up to the preseason hype.
He leads the Cougars and ranks sixth in the American Athletic Conference with 17.1 points per game and stands among the league's Top-10 leaders in assists (3.3 apg, 10th), free throw percentage (83.1, 7th), 3-point field goal percentage (38.2, 6th), 3-point field goals per game (2.7, 4th) and assist-turnover ratio (2.06, 5th).
The Dallas native has posted seven 20-point games this season, including a career-best 31 points against South Florida on Jan. 11 with a team-high 23 double-digit scoring games.
However, Sasser does far more than shoot and score for the Cougars. He ranks seventh in the league with 1.7 steals per game.
Sasser became the 50th 1,000-point scorer in Houston history earlier this season and stands among the Cougars' Top-20 career scoring leaders with 1,383 points to date.
With three 3-pointers in Sunday's thrilling win at Memphis, Sasser became the Cougars' career leader with 264 treys, moving past guard Robert McKiver.
ABOUT JAMAL SHEADShead has been the floor general for the Cougars throughout the 2022-23 season.
As the defensive leader, he leads the Cougars with 56 steals and ranks sixth in The American with 1.8 steals per contest while called upon to defend opponents' offensive leaders in the backcourt.
The Manor, Texas, native leads the team with 167 assists, becoming the 20th player in school history to record multiple 100-assist seasons during his career. He currently ranks seventh in Houston history with 427 career assists.
He leads the Cougars and ranks second in the league with 5.4 assists per game and tops The American with a 2.93 assist-turnover ratio. Shead is one of only nine student-athletes to rank among the nation's Top-30 leaders in both assists and assist-turnover ratio.
ABOUT JARACE WALKERWalker joined the Cougars as a much heralded recruit and exceeded those preseason expectations. In his collegiate debut, the New Freedom, Pa., native scored eight points and grabbed 12 rebounds in a win over Northern Colorado inside the Fertitta Center
This season, Walker ranks second among the Cougars and among The American's Top-20 leaders with 11.1 points and 6.7 rebounds per game and recorded double-doubles against North Florida and American rival SMU.
Walker finished with a game-high 17 points and seven rebounds and added four assists, a blocked shot and steal in the Cougars' road win at #2/2 Virginia. He was named the CBS Sports/USBWA National Freshman of the Week following that performance, the first of two national weekly honors in 2022-23.
He was named The American's Freshman of the Week six times, tying a school single-season record for weekly awards of any kind.
ABOUT J'WAN ROBERTSAveraging 3.2 points and 4.9 rebounds a year ago, Roberts boosted his season totals to 10.5 points and a team-best 7.2 rebounds per game in 2022-23.
He leads the Cougars and ranks among The American leaders with five double-doubles, including a 20-point, 12-rebound performance against Memphis inside the Fertitta Center on Feb. 19.
The Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, native leads the league with a 64.9 field goal percentage and has connected on at least 50.0 percent from the field in all but four games this season.
Roberts scored a career-high 26 points on 9-of-10 shooting against Tulane to set a Fertitta Center record and was named to The American's weekly Honor Roll five times.
ABOUT REGGIE CHANEYA three year-letterman and veteran leader for the Cougars, Chaney has embraced his role in the frontcourt off the bench this season.
Despite battling through injuries the last two years, the Tulsa, Okla., native has competed in all 29 games in 2022-23 and scored eight points with seven rebounds and a pair of steals against #8/10 Alabama inside the Fertitta Center on Dec. 10.
Chaney grabbed six rebounds, including four offensive board, in the Cougars' road win at Wichita State and scored six points with three rebounds at Temple as the Cougars' avenged one of their only losses.
ABOUT TERRANCE ARCENEAUXArceneaux earned the first postseason honor of his career as a true freshman, playing in all but three games.
The Beaumont, Texas, native led the Cougars to their first true road win of the season with 15 points, three 3-pointers and five rebounds at rv/rv Oregon on Nov. 20, 2022, and added 10 points with five rebounds in a home win over SMU inside the Fertitta Center on Jan. 5.
A versatile all-around athlete, Arceneaux recorded three double-digit scoring games and added six games with 5+ rebounds.
ABOUT EMANUEL SHARPCompeting as a redshirt freshman in 2022-23, Sharp has been a talented long-range shooter for the Cougars.
He opened his collegiate career with 11 points and three 3-pointers in the season-opening win over Northern Colorado and added 10 points with three rebounds and two assists in a home win over North Carolina A&T.
The Tampa, Fla., native drained six 3-pointers on the way to a career-high 18 points in the regular-season, non-conference finale against McNeese inside the Fertitta Center. His total tied for the second most 3-point field goals by a Cougar freshman in school history and was only away from the school record.
Sharp went on to tie his career high with 18 points, thanks to 4-of-6 shooting from behind the arc, in the Cougars' road win at American Athletic Conference rival UCF on Jan. 25.
2022-23 ALL-AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE POSTSEASON AWARDS
PLAYER of the YEAR
Marcus Sasser, Senior, Guard, Houston
COACH of the YEAR
Kelvin Sampson, Houston
DEFENSIVE PLAYER of the YEAR
Jamal Shead, Junior, Guard, Houston
FRESHMAN of the YEAR
Jarace Walker, Forward, Houston
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER of the YEAR
J'Wan Roberts, Junior, Forward, Houston
SIXTH MAN of the YEAR
Reggie Chaney, Senior, Forward, Houston
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Ludgy Debaut, Graduate, Center, East Carolina
Sion James, Sophomore, Guard, Tulane
ALL-CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM
| * Marcus Sasser | Senior | Guard | Houston |
| * Kendric Davis | Senior | Guard | Memphis |
| Landers Nolley II | Senior | Guard | Cincinnati |
| DeAndre Williams | Senior | Forward | Memphis |
| Jalen Cook | Sophomore | Guard | Tulane |
ALL-CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM
| Jamal Shead | Junior | Guard | Houston |
| J'Wan Roberts | Junior | Forward | Houston |
| Jarace Walker | Freshman | Forward | Houston |
| Taylor Hendricks | Freshman | Forward | UCF |
| Jaylen Forbes | Junior | Guard | Tulane |
ALL-CONFERENCE THIRD TEAM
| David DeJulius | Graduate | Guard | Cincinnati |
| Tyler Harris | Senior | Guard | South Florida |
| Damian Dunn | Sophomore | Guard | Temple |
| Kevin Cross | Junior | Forward | Tulane |
| Craig Porter Jr. | Senior | Guard | Wichita State |
ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
| * Jarace Walker | Forward | Houston |
| Emanuel Sharp | Guard | Houston |
| Terrance Arceneaux | Guard | Houston |
| * Taylor Hendricks | Forward | UCF |
| Ezra Ausar | Forward | East Carolina |
BUY 2022-23 TICKETS
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.
For the third straight season, the Cougars sold out of their season tickets for home games inside the Fertitta Center.
UP NEXT
• The Cougars take their first steps in the postseason when they compete for the last time at the American Athletic Conference Championship inside Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
• The Cougars begin the postseason in the Quarterfinals when they face the winner of the (8) South Florida /(9) East Carolina game at Noon, Friday.
• With a win in Friday's matchup, Houston would advance to the Semifinals, set for 2 p.m., Saturday.
• 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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