Ten teams have already played a conference game, so this is a little late. BON offers our "pre-conference" 1st team All Big 12. I haven't gotten a chance to see as many Big 12 teams play as I would like which will obviously change as conference season continues. As it stands now, here is BON's 1st team. As always your comments are appreciated.
Kevin Durant 6'9" 225 lb. Guard / Forward Texas Freshman
22.6 pts, 10.7 reb, 1.7 assists, 2 blocks, 48% FG, 84% FT, 39% 3-pointers
Durant leads the Big 12 in points and rebounds, is fifth in free throw percentage, and is fourth in blocks per game. KD was the second best player in the country in high school last season and has already improved tremendously since arriving in Austin. If his progression continues, Durant has a legitimate shot at first-team All American.
Julian Wright 6'8" 225 lb. Forward Kansas Sophomore
12.3 pts. 8.1 reb, 2.1 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.6 blocks, 56% FG, 61% FT
While his numbers are not eye-popping, Wright is the best player on the best team in the conference. He is a freak of an athlete who would score 20+ on a less balanced ball club. He ranks fourth in the Big 12 in rebounding, sixth in field goal percentage, and sixth in blocks. His 21 points, 10 rebound performance in the Jayhawks victory over #1 Florida was only a glimpse of his true potential.
Mario Boggan 6'7" 235 lb. Forward Oklahoma State Senior
21.9 pts, 7.8 reb, 1.6 assists, 62% FG, 80% FT
Boggan is the beastly anchor of the Cowboy front line. He ranks second in the conference in scoring, fifth in rebounding, second in field goal percentage, and seventh the free throw percentage. Boggan is averaging 26 points and over 10 rebounds in his last four games, all OSU victories. His improved production along with that of JamesOn Curry is a big reason why OSU has started 15-1.
Jarrius Jackson 6'1" 185 lb. Guard Texas Tech Senior
20.9 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.8 assists, 1.9 steals, 47% FG, 84% FT, 52% 3 pointers
Other than Durant at Texas, there is not a player in the Big 12 more important to his team than Jackson is to Texas Tech. Bob Knight would still be searching for win #800 without Jackson's contributions over the last four years. Jackson ranks third in scoring, eleventh in field goal percentage, sixth in free throw percentage, seventh in steals, and third in 3 point field goal percentage in the Big 12,
Mario Chalmers 6'1" 195 lb. Guard Kansas Sophomore
12.3 pts, 2.7 reb, 3.5 assists, 2.7 steals, 48% FG, 77% FT, 37% 3-pointers
Chalmers is the do everything guard any coach would love. When he is not disrupting defenses with on the ball pressure or stealing cross court passes, he is driving the ball hard to the rim or knocking down the open mid range jumper. Kansas has tremendous talent at every position but Chalmers is the player that makes them go. Mario ranks second in steals and fifteenth in assists in the Big 12.
Other players with 1st Team potential:
Guards: JamesOn Curry, OSU; Acie Law Texas A&M; DJ Augustin Texas; Richard Roby Colorado.
Forwards: Cartier Martin, Kansas State; Brandon Rush Kansas.
Centers: Joseph Jones, Texas A&M; Aleks Maric, Nebraska.
--AW--