Gray Honored by Big 12... Again

NORMAN, Okla. Oklahoma junior Taj Gray continued his march toward Big 12 Newcomer of the Year honors on Monday when he was announced as the Phillips 66 Big 12 Rookie of the Week for the fourth time this season.

Gray, a 6-9, 235-pound forward from Wichita, Kan., averaged 21.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 3.0 blocked shots and 1.5 steals against Oklahoma State and Iowa State last week. He shot .600 from the field over the two games.

Against then-No. 9 Oklahoma State last Monday, Gray netted 22 points, pulled down eight rebounds and registered a career-high five assists to go along with two blocks and two steals in OU's 67-57 win in Norman. He followed that effort with 21 points, 11 boards and four blocked shots in a 74-66 loss at Iowa State on Saturday.

On the season, Gray is averaging 15.1 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.1 blocked shots a game while shooting .558 from the field. He ranks 10th in the Big 12 in scoring, second in rebounding, second in blocked shots and third in field goal percentage. His eight double-doubles lead the league.

Gray also earned Big 12 rookie of the week honors on Nov. 22, Dec. 13 and Jan. 17. Only former Texas A&M guard Clifton Cook has earned more league rookie-of-the-week accolades than Gray. Cook was named Big 12 Rookie of the Week five times during the 1998-99 season.

Gray's honor marked the seventh time this season a Sooner has been recognized by the conference. Fellow junior Terrell Everett was named league rookie of the week Nov. 29 while Kevin Bookout was named Big 12 Player of the Week on Jan. 10 and 24.

Kansas State's Jeremiah Massey was named this week's Big 12 Player of the Week after averaging 20.0 points and 8.5 rebounds over two games.

The Sooners, 16-3 overall and 5-1 in the Big 12, host two games this week. Texas A&M (14-4, 3-4) comes to town on Wednesday at 7 p.m. CST before Texas Tech (12-5, 4-2) visits on Saturday at 8 p.m.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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