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University of Houston Athletics
Guard LJ Cryer Signs with Men’s Basketball
4/12/2023 4:59:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Baylor transfer will compete as a senior in 2023-24 with two years of eligibility
HOUSTON – Guard LJ Cryer has signed a scholarship agreement with the University of Houston Men's Basketball program and will compete as a senior during the 2023-24 season, Head Coach Kelvin Sampson announced Wednesday.
Following an award-winning career at Baylor, Cryer joins the Cougars and will have two years of eligibility beginning in 2023-24.
"LJ's greatest strength is he is a bucket-getter. He can make shots. He gets to the free throw line, and he makes 3s. We had an established relationship with LJ and his family because we recruited him out of Morton Ranch High School. He is coming from a great program, and he has had success," Sampson said. "I want LJ to come in here as part of a culture that breeds togetherness and toughness. With the talent that he has, LJ can be an outstanding addition for our program."
As a junior at Baylor in 2022-23, Cryer averaged 15.0 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game while starting all 31 games. He set the school record in NCAA Tournament play with 30 points in the Second Round against Creighton and set the BU single-season mark with an 89.4 free throw percentage and ranked among the national leaders in 3-point field goal percentage for much of the year.
For his impressive efforts, Cryer was named to the All-Big 12 Third Team in voting by the league's head coaches and was a member of the NABC All-District VII Team.
As a sophomore in 2021-22, Cryer was limited with a foot injury but totaled 13.5 points and 1.5 rebounds per game. Cryer led the Bears in scoring eight times with five 20-point games.
In his first collegiate season, Cryer appeared in 20 games and helped lead Baylor to its first Big 12 title and the NCAA national championship.
Cryer was an award-winning star at Morton Ranch High School for Head Coach Khris Turner. He finished his prep career with 3,488 points, the fifth-highest total in Texas public school history and the most in Houston history.
He was named to the TABC Class 6A All-State State and was tabbed the 2020 All-Greater Houston Player of the Year by the Houston Chronicle after averaging 34.2 points on 55 percent shooting from the field and 44 percent from the arc.
As a senior at Morton Ranch HS, Cryer scored 1,164 points to set the school single-season record and scored 50 points with 10 assists in the regular-season finale.
Cryer and the Cougars will begin their first season of competition in the Big 12 during the 2023-24 season.
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.
Following an award-winning career at Baylor, Cryer joins the Cougars and will have two years of eligibility beginning in 2023-24.
"LJ's greatest strength is he is a bucket-getter. He can make shots. He gets to the free throw line, and he makes 3s. We had an established relationship with LJ and his family because we recruited him out of Morton Ranch High School. He is coming from a great program, and he has had success," Sampson said. "I want LJ to come in here as part of a culture that breeds togetherness and toughness. With the talent that he has, LJ can be an outstanding addition for our program."As a junior at Baylor in 2022-23, Cryer averaged 15.0 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game while starting all 31 games. He set the school record in NCAA Tournament play with 30 points in the Second Round against Creighton and set the BU single-season mark with an 89.4 free throw percentage and ranked among the national leaders in 3-point field goal percentage for much of the year.
For his impressive efforts, Cryer was named to the All-Big 12 Third Team in voting by the league's head coaches and was a member of the NABC All-District VII Team.
As a sophomore in 2021-22, Cryer was limited with a foot injury but totaled 13.5 points and 1.5 rebounds per game. Cryer led the Bears in scoring eight times with five 20-point games.
In his first collegiate season, Cryer appeared in 20 games and helped lead Baylor to its first Big 12 title and the NCAA national championship.
Cryer was an award-winning star at Morton Ranch High School for Head Coach Khris Turner. He finished his prep career with 3,488 points, the fifth-highest total in Texas public school history and the most in Houston history.
He was named to the TABC Class 6A All-State State and was tabbed the 2020 All-Greater Houston Player of the Year by the Houston Chronicle after averaging 34.2 points on 55 percent shooting from the field and 44 percent from the arc.
As a senior at Morton Ranch HS, Cryer scored 1,164 points to set the school single-season record and scored 50 points with 10 assists in the regular-season finale.
Cryer and the Cougars will begin their first season of competition in the Big 12 during the 2023-24 season.
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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