Houston’s Jamal Shead Named Big 12 Male Athlete of the Year

HOUSTON – After a record-setting 2023-24 season, University of Houston point guard Jamal Shead was honored as the Big 12 Conference Male Athlete of the Year on Wednesday.

With Shead leading the way, Houston posted a 32-5 overall record and captured the Big 12 regular-season championship by two games in the Cougars’ first year in the league.

Under Head Coach Kelvin Sampson’s guidance, Houston also competed as a NCAA Tournament Region No. 1 seed for the second straight season and advanced to the Sweet 16 for the fifth consecutive year, the nation’s second-longest active streak.

Shead was named the National Defensive Player of the Year by Naismith Awards, National Association of Basketball Coaches, Field of 68 and Andy Katz and earned the Nolan Richardson Award, presented to the student-athlete who best represents the heart and soul of his team.

He also was a finalist for the Naismith and John R. Wooden Player of the Year awards.

Off the court, Shead received his bachelor’s degree in health promotions. He now awaits the first steps of his professional career with the NBA Draft set for Wednesday and Thursday inside Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Texas Volleyball star Madisen Skinner was named the Big 12 Female Athlete of the Year.