Texas basketball lands five players on 2016 Academic All-Big 12 team

Press release via University of Texas Athletics

IRVING, Texas — Five University of Texas men’s basketball players have earned a spot on the 2016 Academic All-Big 12 Men’s Basketball Team, the league office announced Wednesday. Seniors Prince Ibeh and Danny Newsome were named to the First Team, while seniors Demarcus Holland and Connor Lammert and junior Isaiah Taylor were selected to the Second Team.

UT’s five total selections were the most in the league. Over the last two seasons, the Longhorns have had a total of 11 Academic All-Big 12 selections (six in 2015).

Holland, Ibeh and Lammert each earned their third career selections to the academic all-league team. Taylor received his second career selection, and Newsome earned his first career selection to the prestigious squad.

Nominated by each institution’s director of student-athlete support services and the media relations offices, the academic all-league men’s basketball team consisted of 14 first-team members and 10 second-team members. First-team members honor those who have maintained a 3.20 or better GPA, and the second-team honorees are those who have a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA.

To qualify for the team, student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in 60 percent of his team’s scheduled contests. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic residence. Senior student-athletes who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are also eligible.

2016 Academic All-Big 12 Men’s Basketball Team (UT Selections only)

First Team (3.20-plus GPA)

Name________________ Class______ Major

Prince Ibeh____________ Sr.________ Applied Learning and Development (minor in Educational Psychology)

Danny Newsome________ Sr.________ Professional Accounting

Second Team (3.00 to 3.19 GPA)

Name________________ Class______ Major

Demarcus Holland_______ Sr.________ Physical Culture and Sports

Connor Lammert________ Sr.________ Corporate Communication

Isaiah Taylor___________ Jr._________ Physical Culture and Sports