LOOK: Ochai Agbaji presented with Big 12 Player of Year trophy
Prior to tip-off against West Virginia Wednesday afternoon, Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby presented Ochai Agbaji with the 2022 Big 12 Player of the Year Trophy.
Agbaji was the decided unanimously for Player of the Year honors, which is voted on by the coaches of the Big 12, and was also one of two unanimous decisions for First-Team honors along with Texas Tech forward Bryson Williams. Agbaji was the only Jayhawk to make the first team.
“So often postseason accolades come from not only individual success but primarily from the team’s success and we’re proud to get a piece of the Big 12 Championship,” coach Bill Self told Kansas Athletics. “Ochai has had a great year and deserved being a unanimous selection for player of the year and All-Big 12 first team.”
Agbaji led the conference with 19.8 points per game during the regular season, and shot 41.1% from three-point range (second in Big 12). Agbaji was also named as one of 15 finalists for the Wooden Award, and is thought to be one of the frontrunners for the national honor.
Other Jayhawks to receive notable Big 12 honors were junior guard Christian Braun (second team), redshirt sophomore forward Jalen Wilson (third team) alongside senior forward David McCormack, while sophomore guard Dajuan Harris received an honorable mention and a spot on the conference’s All-Defensive team. Freshman forward K.J. Adams also etched his name on the rookie team.
“With Christian on second team, David and Jalen on third team and Dajuan honorable mention, and on the all-defensive team, all five starters were recognized and deservedly so,” Self told Kansas Athletics. “With KJ being on the all-freshman team, we are proud to have six players honored. I’m happy for them as this is more of a reflection their individual performances and the team’s accomplishments.”
Kansas currently leads by double-digits against the Mountaineers late in the second half. The Jayhawks will take on the upset-minded TCU Horned Frogs Friday at 6 p.m. live on ESPN or ESPN2.