Roby Named Preseason All-Big 12
BOULDER - University of Colorado junior guard Richard Roby was named to the preseason All-Big 12 Team announced Wednesday by the conference office. Roby, a 2005-06 first team conference selection last season enters the 2006-07 season only 10 points shy of scoring 1,000 points in his career. The San Bernardino, Calif. native averaged 17 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.1 steals per games last season.
Sophomore teammates Brandon Rush and Julian Wright (Kansas) have been named the Big 12 Preseason Players of the Year, it was announced. Junior guard Charles Burgess (Texas Tech) was chosen as Preseason Newcomer of the Year, while forward Kevin Durant (Texas) earned Freshman of the Year accolades. Players honored in preseason voting were selected by the league head coaches, who are not permitted to vote for their own student-athletes.
Last season, Rush was the first freshman in conference history to be named to the All-Big 12 First Team. He averaged 13.5 points and 5.9 overall, stepping up to averages of 15.1 and 6.6 in league play. Wright was an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection a year ago after recording 8.5 points per game and shooting 56.4 percent from the field. He also had 42 blocks. The preseason selection of Rush and Wright marks the first time in Big 12 history that two players have shared the honor.
Burgess averaged 15.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 2005-06 for Howard College in Texas. The New York City native was named the NJCAA Player of the Year last season and was also named to the all-region team a year ago.
Durant is among the nation's top incoming freshman and is the highest-rated prospect to ever play for the Longhorns. He was honored as the co-MVP of the McDonald's All-America game in 2006 after finishing with 25 points. Durant was selected as the top small forward in the nation by Rivals.com after averaging 23.6 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocks during his senior campaign.
The preseason All-Big 12 team was also announced. In addition to Rush and Wright, the following players were recognized - Roby (Colorado), Acie Law (Texas A&M), Joseph Jones (Texas A&M) and Jarrius Jackson (Texas Tech). Roby, Rush and Jackson are all returning All-Big 12 First Team members from last season. A tie in the voting created an additional position on this year's preseason squad.
CU begins the season with its first practice this Friday, Oct. 13 and opens the 2006-07 schedule with two exhibition games, Nov. 2 (Basketball Travelers) and No. 7 (Regis University (Nov. 7). Both games start at 7 p.m. at the Coors Events Center.
Preseason Players of the Year
Brandon Rush, Kansas, G, So., 6-6, 212, Kansas City, Mo./Mt. Zion Academy (N.C.)
Julian Wright, Kansas, F, So., 6-8, 218, Chicago Heights, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor
Preseason Newcomer of the Year
Charles Burgess, Texas Tech, G, Jr., 6-1, 190, New York, N.Y./Howard College (Texas)
Preseason Freshman of the Year
Kevin Durant, Texas, F, Fr., 6-9, 225, Suitland, Md./Montrose Christian
2006-07 Preseason All-Big 12 Team
Name, School Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown/Previous School(s)
Richard Roby, Colorado G 6-6 205 Jr. San Bernardino, Calif./Lawrence Academy (Mass.)
Brandon Rush, Kansas G 6-6 212 So. Kansas City, Mo./Mt. Zion Academy (N.C.)
Julian Wright, Kansas F 6-8 218 So. Chicago Heights, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor
Acie Law, Texas A&M G 6-3 195 Sr. Dallas, Texas/Kimball
Joseph Jones, Texas A&M F 6-9 250 Jr. Normangee, Texas/Normangee
Jarrius Jackson, Texas Tech G 6-1 185 Sr. Monroe, La./Ouachita
Honorable Mention (listed alphabetically by school):
Mario Chalmers, Kansas; Cartier Martin, Kansas State; Mario Boggan, Oklahoma State; JamesOn Curry, Oklahoma State; Kevin Durant, Texas