James named to Preseason All-Big 12 Men's Basketball Team
Oct. 8, 2009
DALLAS -- University of Texas senior swingman Damion James was named to the six-person Preseason All-Big 12 Conference team and guard Avery Bradley was tabbed the Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year, the league office announced Thursday. In addition, Bradley and senior center Dexter Pittman each received preseason honorable mention accolades. Kansas teammates Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich were tabbed the Preseason Co-Players of the Year, while Iowa State forward Marquis Gilstrap garnered Preseason Newcomer of the Year accolades. Players honored in preseason voting were selected by the league's head coaches. The coaches were not permitted to vote for their own student-athletes. Joining James on the Preseason All-Big 12 team were Aldrich, Collins, Craig Brackins (Iowa State), Willie Warren (Oklahoma) and James Anderson (Oklahoma State). Bradley and Pittman were joined on the honorable mention list by Denis Clemente (Kansas State). James led the team and ranked fourth in the Big 12 Conference in rebounding (9.2 rpg) and ranked second on the team and 10th in the league in scoring (15.2 ppg) last season. He also led the squad in double-doubles (16) en route to earning All-Big 12 Second Team and NABC All-District 8 Second Team honors. A three-year starter who has played in all 108 games during his first three seasons, James enters his senior year ranked 18th on the school's career scoring list (1,306 points), third in career rebounds (968), fourth in career double-doubles (37) and seventh in career blocks (123). He is just 110 rebounds shy of becoming the school's all-time rebounding leader (current record is 1,077 by James Thomas, 2001-04). Bradley was ranked as the No. 1 prospect nationally by ESPNU following his senior season. A McDonald's All-American and Jordan All-American, Bradley also earned first-team All-America honors by Parade Magazine. He led Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) to a 33-0 record and the mythical high school national championship as a senior, averaging 19.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.9 steals per game. One of the most improved players in the league last season, Pittman ranked second on the team in rebounding (5.5 rpg) and blocks (33) and third in scoring (10.1 ppg). One of five players named to the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship All-Tournament team, he averaged 15.4 points and 10.4 rebounds in 27.6 minutes per game during UT's five postseason contests. 2009-10 Preseason All-Big 12 Team Honorable Mention Selections Preseason Co-Players of the Year Preseason Newcomer of the Year Preseason Freshman of the Year
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