Kansas City, Mo. ? Kansas University sophomore forward Drew Gooden has been named first-team All-Big 12.
A media panel that regularly covers the conference tapped Gooden, plus Iowa State’s Jamaal Tinsley, Baylor’s Terry Black, Oklahoma State’s Maurice Baker and Missouri’s Kareem Rush as first-teamers.
KU’s Kirk Hinrich and Nick Collison made the second team with ISU’s Kantrail Horton, Texas’ Chris Owens and Nebraska’s Cookie Belcher. KU’s Kenny Gregory was a third-team selection.
Rush was the only player named on every first-team ballot. Baker and Tinsley were named on all but one ballot.
The 6-foot-10 Gooden, who missed five games with a wrist injury, is averaging 15.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. He’s the only first-teamer to rank in the league’s top 10 in both scoring and rebounding.
“I’m very excited to receive this honor,” Gooden said Monday. “It was one of my goals to make the team this year, and after I was chosen on the preseason team, I really wanted to fulfill those expectations.
“I have to give a lot of credit to coach (Roy) Williams and to my teammates because we came into this season with a plan to get the ball down low and take advantage of our size and that helped me accomplish all I have this year.”
Gooden is second in the Big 12 with nine double-doubles. He’s the first Jayhawk to be named first-team all-league since Raef LaFrentz and Paul Pierce both were selected in 1998.
“Drew is having a great year,” Williams said. “Even though he missed the games with injury, you look and he’s led or been close to the league lead in rebounding all year. Plus, his scoring is up this season as well.
“I’ve said many times if your team does well you should be rewarded and we’re happy to have those guys on there.”
