Yesterday marked the release of the Big XII Basketball awards. There is a good crop of players in the conference and weeding out the boys from the men was not something that was as easy as it may have been in past seasons. When thinking Big XII Basketball, names such as Perry Jones III or Royce White or Thomas Robinson come to mind, and these are just a few.
However, the biggest surprise is that the Oklahoma Sooners were unable to land a name on the list (outside of an honorable mention). Sure, they didn't play particularly well in conference play as a whole, but there were some stand out players. Romero Osby remained consistent throughout the season while Sam Grooms ranks among the top in the nation in categories. Some players were able to come on late, which in the eyes of the coaches bumped names like these and Steven Pledger down a few notches.
Congrats to all those who were mentioned. Without any further ado, here is the list of awards.
2011-12 PHILLIPS 66 ALL-BIG 12 MEN'S BASKETBALL AWARDS
| Player of the Year: | Thomas Robinson, Kansas, F, Jr., 6-10, 237, Washington, D.C./Brewster Academy [N.H.] |
| Defensive Player of the Year: | Jeff Withey, Kansas, C, Jr., 7-0, 235, San Diego, Calif./Horizon |
| Newcomer of the Year: | Royce White, Iowa State, F, So., 6-8, 270, Minneapolis, Minn./Hopkins/Minnesota** |
| Co-Freshman of the Year: | Quincy Miller, Baylor, F, Fr., 6-9, 210, High Point, N.C./Westchester Country Day School Le'Bryan Nash, Oklahoma State, G/F, Fr., 6-7, 230, Dallas, Texas/Lincoln |
| Sixth Man Award: | Michael Dixon, Missouri, G, Jr., 6-1, 185, Kansas City, Mo./Lee's Summit West** |
| Co-Coaches of the Year: | Fred Hoiberg, Iowa State [Career and at ISU: 38-25, 2nd season] Bill Self, Kansas [Career: 470-156, 19th season; At KU: 263-51, 9th season] |
| All-Big 12 First Team | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | Hometown/Previous School(s) | |
| Royce White, Iowa State** | F | 6-8 | 270 | So. | Minneapolis, Minn./Hopkins/Minnesota | |
| Thomas Robinson, Kansas** | F | 6-10 | 237 | Jr. | Washington, D.C./Brewster Academy [N.H.] | |
| Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas** | G | 6-3 | 185 | Sr. | Hoboken, N.J./St. Anthony | |
| Marcus Denmon, Missouri | G | 6-3 | 185 | Sr. | Kansas City, Mo./Hogan Prep | |
| J'Covan Brown, Texas | G | 6-1 | 197 | Jr. | Port Arthur, Texas/Memorial | |
| All-Big 12 Second Team | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | Hometown/Previous School(s) | |
| Quincy Acy, Baylor | F | 6-7 | 235 | Sr. | Mesquite, Texas/Horn | |
| Pierre Jackson, Baylor | G | 5-10 | 180 | Jr. | Las Vegas, Nev./Desert Pines/College of Southern Idaho | |
| Rodney McGruder, Kansas State | G | 6-4 | 205 | Jr. | Washington, D.C./Arlington Country Day [Fla.] | |
| Ricardo Ratliffe, Missouri | F | 6-8 | 240 | Sr. | Hampton, Va./Kecoughtan/Central Florida CC | |
| Keiton Page, Oklahoma State | G | 5-9 | 165 | Sr. | Pawnee, Okla./Pawnee | |
| All-Big 12 Third Team | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | Hometown/Previous School(s) | |
| Perry Jones III, Baylor | F | 6-11 | 235 | So. | Duncanville, Texas/Duncanville | |
| Scott Christopherson, Iowa State | G | 6-3 | 195 | Sr. | LaCrosse, Wis./Aquinas/Marquette | |
| Jeff Withey, Kansas | C | 7-0 | 235 | Jr. | San Diego, Calif./Horizon | |
| Kim English, Missouri | G | 6-6 | 200 | Sr. | Baltimore, Md./Randallstown/Notre Dame Prep | |
| Phil Pressey, Missouri | G | 5-10 | 175 | So. | Dallas, Texas/Dallas Episcopal | |
| All-Big 12 Honorable Mention (Listed alphabetically by school) | ||||||
| Quincy Miller (Baylor), Chris Allen (Iowa State), Melvin Ejim (Iowa State), Jamar Samuels (Kansas State), Steven Pledger (Oklahoma), Romero Osby (Oklahoma), Le'Bryan Nash (Oklahoma State), Myck Kabongo (Texas), Elston Turner (Texas A&M), David Loubeau (Texas A&M) | ||||||
| Big 12 All-Defensive Team | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | Hometown/Previous School(s) | |
| Quincy Acy, Baylor** | F | 6-7 | 235 | Sr. | Mesquite, Texas/Horn | |
| Jeff Withey, Kansas** | C | 7-0 | 235 | Jr. | San Diego, Calif./Horizon | |
| Jordan Henriquez, Kansas State | F | 6-11 | 250 | Jr. | Port Chester, N.Y./The Winchendon School [Mass.] | |
| Rodney McGruder, Kansas State | G | 6-4 | 205 | Jr. | Washington, D.C./Arlington Country Day [Fla.] | |
| Michael Dixon, Missouri | G | 6-1 | 185 | Jr. | Kansas City, Mo./Lee's Summit West | |
| Big 12 All-Rookie Team | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | Hometown/Previous School(s) | |
| Pierre Jackson, Baylor** | G | 5-10 | 180 | Jr. | Las Vegas, Nev./Desert Pines/College of Southern Idaho | |
| Quincy Miller, Baylor | F | 6-9 | 210 | Fr. | High Point, N.C./Westchester Country Day School | |
| Royce White, Iowa State** | F | 6-8 | 270 | So. | Minneapolis, Minn./Hopkins/Minnesota | |
| Le'Bryan Nash, Oklahoma State | G/F | 6-7 | 230 | Fr. | Dallas, Texas/Lincoln | |
| Myck Kabongo, Texas | G | 6-1 | 169 | Fr. | Toronto, Ontario, Canada/St. Benedict's Prep [N.J.] | |
** - Unanimous Selection