University of Houston Athletics

Jamal Shead Named Top 10 Candidate for Bob Cousy Award
1/28/2024 10:10:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Senior point guard is one of 10 candidates to be recognized nationally
HOUSTON – University of Houston senior point guard Jamal Shead was recognized Monday as one of the Top 10 Candidates for the Bob Cousy Award, presented by the Naismith Basketball of Fame.Houston fans can support Shead in the remaining rounds by participating in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies beginning Feb. 2 at hoophallawards.com. The Fan Vote will count as one committee vote during the finalist selection process.
In March, five finalists will be presented to Cousy and the Hall of Fame's Selection Committee. The Selection Committee for the Bob Cousy Award is composed of top men's college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers.
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 for the Cougars throughout his career and never more so than during the 2023-24 season.
The Manor, Texas, native has started all 20 games to date and stands third among the Cougars with 11.7 points per game. Shead also leads Houston and ranks among the Big 12 Top-Five leaders in assists per game (5.9), steals per game (2.3) and assist-turnover ratio (2.93) and is one of only three student-athletes to rank among the nation's Top-31 leaders in assists per game, steals per game AND assist-turnover ratio.
He was named the Big 12 Player of the Week for Jan. 22 after leading the Cougars with 19.5 points, 7.5 assists and 3.0 steals per game in wins at #21/19 BYU and against UCF. The health major became the first Cougar to receive a Big 12 regular-season award in program history.
Shead has scored double-digit points in 13 games, including nine of the last 10. He also dished out 10+ assists in a pair of games this season with a career-high 29-point, 10-assist performance at #21/19 BYU on Jan. 23.
Shead owns a 106-15 record in more than three seasons during his Houston career and needs only four more victories in 2023-24 to become the second-winningest player in school history.
In 2021-22, Shead led Houston to the NCAA Elite Eight 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 TOP 10 CANDIDATES
| Name | School |
| Jamal Shead | Houston |
| Isaiah Stevens | Colorado State |
| Dajuan Harris Jr. | Kansas |
| Tyler Kolek | Marquette |
| Jahvon Quinerly | Memphis |
| Boo Buie | Northwestern |
| Zakai Zeigler | Tennessee |
| Max Abmas | Texas |
| Wade Taylor IV | Texas A&M |
| Tristen Newton | UConn |
UP NEXT
• Shead and the Cougars face Texas at 8 p.m., tonight (Monday, Jan. 29) inside Moody Center in Austin, Texas. That game will air on ESPN.
• Following Monday's game, the Cougars open the month of February when they meet #7/8 Kansas at 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 3, inside Phog Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kan. That game can be seen on ESPN.
• From there, the Cougars return to Fertitta Center to host Oklahoma State at 6 p.m., Feb. 6. That game will air on ESPN or ESPN2.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Men's Basketball by supporting Linking Coogs – UH's NIL collective, giving to Houston Rise and by joining the 50-50 Club, which provides financial support directly to Houston Men's Basketball for needs beyond its operating budget.
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.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on X, formerly known as 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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