OU Pair Named Academic All-Big 12

March 6, 2008

NORMAN, Okla. - University of Oklahoma men's basketball players Taylor Griffin and Austin Johnson were named to the 2008 Academic All-Big 12 Team, the league office announced today. Both juniors, Griffin and Johnson were among 20 total student-athletes recognized. It is the second time in two years both players earned academic all-league honors.

A pre-health and exercise science major from Oklahoma City, Griffin is a second-team selection. The 6-7, 230-pound forward has started 18 of OU's 30 games this season and is averaging 6.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per contest. In Big 12 play, Griffin is averaging 7.5 points and 6.1 boards while shooting .784 from the free throw line.

Johnson, from Amarillo, Texas, is a sociology-criminology major and is also a second-team honoree. He ranks fourth on the team with his 8.8 points per game and is averaging a team-high 2.5 assists. The 6-3, 165-pounder also ranks second on the squad with his 45 3-pointers. The Sooners are 12-1 this year when Johnson scores in double figures.

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 and have participated in at least 60 percent of his team's scheduled contests. Members of the second team are those who have a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic residence. Senior student-athletes who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are also eligible.

The Sooners, 20-10 overall and 8-7 in the Big 12, close out the regular season on Saturday at home against Missouri (16-14, 6-9). The 2:30 p.m. CST game will be regionally televised by ABC.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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