Four Sooners Earn Academic Honors

NORMAN, Okla. The University of Oklahoma men's basketball team was well represented on the 2007 Academic All-Big 12 Team with four honorees, the conference announced today. OU's Michael Neal, Kellen Sampson, Taylor Griffin and Austin Johnson comprised almost one-fifth of the league's 22 individual first- and second-team members.

Neal and Sampson, both seniors, were first-team selections. Neal is an African and African-American studies major from Mesquite, Texas, while Sampson, from Norman, earned his undergraduate degree in three-and-a-half years in communication. Neal averages10.2 points and 2.7 rebounds this season, and has made a team-high 48 3-point field goals. Sampson has totaled 15 points in his 11 games, and started Monday's Senior Night game against No. 3 Kansas.

Sophomores Johnson and Griffin were named to the second team. Johnson is undecided in his major while Griffin is majoring in zoology/pre-med. Johnson, from Amarillo, Texas, is averaging 7.5 points and a team-high 3.1 assists per game. Griffin, who hails from Oklahoma City, is averaging 6.5 points and 5.3 rebounds.

Nominated by each institution's director of student-athlete support services and the media relations offices, the academic all-league men's basketball team's first-team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.20 or better GPA. Members of the second team are those who have a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA.

Oklahoma was the only school with multiple first-team selections. Nine total student-athletes made the first team while 13 were named to the second team.

The Sooners, 15-13 overall and 6-9 in the Big 12, close out the regular season on Saturday at Kansas State. The 2:30 p.m. CST game will be regionally televised by ABC.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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