Two Longhorns Earn All Conference Awards

J’Covan Brown and Myck Kabongo received All Big 12 recognition earlier today.  Brown was selected to the All Big 12 First Team, while Kabongo was named to the All Big 12 Rookie Team, and the All Big 12 Honorable Mention group.

Brown:

J’Covan Brown’s selection came as no surprise as he dominated league play.  His 20 points per game led the conference, and he ranked in the top 10 of the Big 12 in minutes played, assists, free throw percentage and steals.  His selection made this year the 3rd straight year that a Longhorn has been named to the All Big 12 First Team, and the 7th time in the last 7 years that a Texas player has been named to the team.  That might mean bad news for Texas because 6 of the previous 6 underclassmen to get named to the All Big First Team have not returned the following season.  Aldridge, Tucker, Durant, Augustin and Hamilton all bolted to the NBA with eligibility left.

Kabongo:

Kabongo being named to the Big 12 All Rookie Team came as no surprise as well.  The Freshman point guard gave opposing defenses trouble throughout league play.  When he wasn’t finishing in the lane, he was finding open teammates.  His 9.8 points per game was the 3rd highest of any Longhorn, and his 5.3 assists led the team.  He also ranked in the top 5 in the Big 12 in assists, and sis 1.23 steals per game ranked him in the top 15 in the Big 12 in that category.  Kabongo was also named Honorable Mention All Big 12.

Snubs:

Sheldon McClellan was not named to the Big 12 All Rookie Team, nor did he receive any Honorable Mention recognition.  That comes as a surprise to this writer because McClellan averaged 11.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.6 assist per game and Quincy Miller, who was named Co-Freshman of the Year, selected to the All Big 12 Rookie Team and  was selected as Honorable Mention All Big 12 averaged 11.5 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist per game.  Sheldon was not honored and he deserved to be.  He had a wonderful season.

It was nice to see Brown and Kabongo honored.  Both of them had great seasons for the Longhorns.  Congratulations to Myck and J’Covan.