Jamal Shead named Big 12 Player of the week

Written by MAi' Ghen Storm, SFL Writer | Photo credit: Xavier Rosales, SFL Photographer

Houston- Jamal Shead, a senior guard for the fifth-ranked University of Houston men's basketball team, was named Big 12 Player of the Week on Monday. During the Cougars' victories over #25/25 Texas Tech and UCF, Shead averaged 19.5 points, 7.5 assists, 3.0 steals, and 5.5 rebounds per game.  As a Manor, Texas, native who played more than 33 minutes a game, he buried 55.6 percent (15-of-27) from the field.

 

Upon Houston Athletics' move to the Big 12 Conference in 2023-24, he became the first Houston Men's Basketball player to earn a Big 12 regular-season weekly honor. Against #25/25 Texas Tech on Wednesday, Shead started the week in impressive fashion as the Cougars tried to end a season-long two-game losing streak. On the way to a career-high 29 points, he connected on two of his first five shots. His eighth career double-double also included 10 assists, two turnovers, and four rebounds.

 On Saturday, Shead scored 10 points, led all players with five assists, and tied for the team lead with seven rebounds and four assists in a 57-42 win over UCF. During the game, he led a defense that allowed seven UCF field goals and limited the Knights to 15.9 percent (7-of-44) shooting, setting a Big 12 record.

 

In addition to top-40 rankings in assist per game, steal per game, and assist-turnover ratio this season, Shead is also one of only three student-athletes who rank among the nation's Top-40 leaders. With 104 victories during his Houston career, he will become the school's second-winningest player with only six more wins in 2023-24.