Gray Unanimous Choice as Preseason Big 12 Newcomer of the Year

NORMAN, Okla. One of the most heralded players at the national junior college level last year, Oklahoma junior forward Taj Gray is a unanimous pick as the Big 12's Preseason Newcomer of the Year, the conference office announced today. The 6-9, 235-pounder from Redlands Community College in El Reno was selected by 11 of the league's 12 head coaches (OU head coach Kelvin Sampson did not cast a vote for Gray since coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players).

Gray earned first-team National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association All-America honors and was the runner-up in NJCAA Player of the Year voting after averaging 18.1 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.3 blocked shots as a sophomore. He led Redlands to the junior college national title game.

Fellow OU junior forward Kevin Bookout was one of eight Big 12 players who earned votes for the Preseason All-Big 12 Team. Bookout, 6-8 and 259 pounds, returns this year after missing last season's final 17 games due to shoulder surgery. He has led the Sooners in rebounding average and field goal percentage the last two seasons.

The five-person All-Big 12 Team consists of Kansas' Keith Langford and Wayne Simien, Iowa State's Curtis Stinson and Oklahoma State's Joey Graham and John Lucas. Simien was voted as the Preseason Player of the Year.

Honored as the Preseason Freshman of the Year was Texas guard Daniel Gibson.

A limited number of OU season tickets are still available by contacting the Athletics Ticket Office at (405) 325-2424 or (800) 456-GoOU. The Sooners play two home exhibition games (Nov. 10 and 13) before beginning the regular season with a home game against Cal State Northridge on Nov. 20 at noon.

Preseason All-Big 12 Coaches Team
Keith Langford, Kansas (G, 6-4, 215, Sr.)
Wayne Simien, Kansas (F, 6-9, 255, Sr.)
Curtis Stinson, Iowa State (G, 6-3, 215, So.)
Joey Graham, Oklahoma State (G, 6-7, 217, Sr.)
John Lucas, Oklahoma State (G, 5-11, 152, Sr.)

Honorable Mention
Kansas: J.R. Giddens, Aaron Miles; Missouri: Linas Kleiza, Jimmy McKinney; Oklahoma: Kevin Bookout; Texas: Jason Klotz, P.J. Tucker; Texas A&M: Antoine Wright

Preseason Player of the Year
Wayne Simien, Kansas (F, 6-9, 255, Sr.)

Preseason Newcomer of the Year
Taj Gray, Oklahoma (F, 6-9, 235, Jr.)

Preseason Freshman of the Year
Daniel Gibson, Texas (G, 6-2, 190, Fr.)

Note: Coaches were not allowed to vote for members of their own team.