Devin Williams during WVU’s shoot around of the Sweet 16 of NCAA Tournament (Photo Credit: Kelsie VanderWijst, BGS)
MORGANTOWN, W.Va.– West Virginia University’s Devin Williams earned some preseason honors on Thursday when he was named as an honorable mention for the 2015-16 Preseason All-Big 12 Team.
The junior forward averaged 11.6 points last season and led the Mountaineers in rebounding with 8.1 boards per game. He was 15th in the Big 12 in scoring and third in rebounding.
Four of five members of the All-Big 12 First team from last season are returning for the upcoming season. Last season’s 2014-15 Big 12 Player of the Year and this season’s selection Buddy Hield of Oklahoma leads the way.
Hield led the Big 12 in scoring last season with 17.4 points per game. The senior earned Associated Press All-America Third Team accolades.
Seniors Rico Gathers (Baylor), Georges Niang (Iowa State) and Perry Ellis (Kansas) and junior Isaiah Taylor (Texas) also join Hield on the 2015-16 Preseason All-Big 12 Team.
Ellis was the 2014-15 Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year and was joined by Hield and Taylor on the Academic All-Big 12 First Team, while Niang was part of the academic second team.
Iowa State’s Deonte Burton is the Preseason Newcomer of the Year, and Cheick Diallo being recognized as the Preseason Freshman of the Year. Burton transferred from Marquette and will be eligible to play in the first semester. Diallo was rated in the top 10 of the ESPN100 and was the 2014 and 2015 New York Gatorade Player of the Year.
Preseason Player of the Year
Buddy Hield, Oklahoma, G, Sr., 6-4, 214, Freeport, Bahamas/Sunrise Christian Academy [Kan.]
Preseason Newcomer of the Year
Deonte Burton, Iowa State, G, Jr., 6-4, 250, Milwaukee, Wis./Marquette/Vincent
Preseason Freshman of the Year
Cheick Diallo, Kansas, F, Fr., 6-9, 220, Mali, Africa/Our Savior New American [N.Y.]
2015-16 Preseason All-Big 12 Team
Rico Gathers, Baylor F 6-8 275 Sr. LaPlace, La./Riverside Academy
Georges Niang, Iowa State* F 6-8 230 Sr. Methuen, Mass./The Tilton School
Perry Ellis, Kansas* F 6-8 225 Sr. Wichita, Kan./Wichita Heights
Buddy Hield, Oklahoma* G 6-4 214 Sr. Freeport, Bahamas/Sunrise Christian Academy [Kan.]
Isaiah Taylor, Texas G 6-1 170 Jr. Hayward, Calif./The Village School [Texas]
Honorable Mention (listed alphabetically by school):
Taurean Prince, Baylor; Jameel McKay and Monte Morris, Iowa State; Frank Mason, Kansas; Phil Forte, Oklahoma State; Devin Williams, West Virginia
(Stats Courtesy of the Big 12’s Rob Carolla)
Devin Williams during WVU’s shoot around of the Sweet 16 of NCAA Tournament (Photo Credit: Kelsie VanderWijst, BGS)
