Big 12 coaches pick Houston guard Jamal Shead as player of year and top defender

IRVING, Texas (AP) — Houston senior point guard Jamal Shead was voted by Big 12 coaches as the conference's player of the year after helping lead the top-ranked Cougars to the regular-season title in their inaugural season in the league.

Shead, also tabbed as the top defensive player, was the only unanimous pick on the first team announced Sunday. He goes into the postseason averaging 13.2 points, 6.2 assists and 2.3 steals.

The other first-team picks were Kansas senior center Hunter Dickinson, the Michigan transfer who was also newcomer of the year, along with Iowa State sophomore guard Tamin Lipsey, Kansas guard Kevin McCullar Jr. and Texas forward Dylan Disu.

Kelvin Sampson of the Cougars (28-3) was named by his Big 12 peers as coach of the year.

Baylor guard Ja'Kobe Walter was picked as freshman of the year.

The Associated Press will release its All-Big 12 teams and individual awards Tuesday.

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AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball