March 7, 2005

	Billy Gillispie, Texas A&M Big 12 Coach of the Year
	Wayne Simien, Kansas Big 12 Player of the Year

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DALLAS - Wayne Simien (Kansas) has been named Player of the Year and Taj Gray (Oklahoma) was chosen as Newcomer of the Year, highlighting the Phillips 66 All-Big 12 Men's Basketball Awards. Daniel Gibson (Texas) was honored as Freshman of the Year, while Billy Gillispie (Texas A&M) was picked as Coach of the Year.

The All-Big 12 honors are selected by the league's head coaches, who are not allowed to vote for their own players.

Simien, a unanimous selection, becomes the fourth KU player to earn Big 12 Player of the Year recognition. The senior forward led the Big 12 in scoring (19.4 ppg) and rebounding (11.1), the only player in the conference to average a double-double. He posted 12 games with 20 points or more, including a career-high 32-point effort versus Oklahoma State on Feb. 27. One of his top outings was on March 2 against Kansas State, when he became just the seventh player in Big 12 history to record 20 or more points and rebounds in the same contest. Simien also had seven different games where he was perfect from the free throw line, finishing the regular season hitting at 82.8 percent from the stripe.

Gray is the third player from Oklahoma to garner the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year award. The junior forward finished second in the league behind Simien (14) with 10 double-doubles. He led the Sooners in scoring with 14.7 points per game and ranked fourth in the conference in rebounding (7.8). Gray was first in the league with 57 blocks and also led the way with 96 offensive rebounds. He finished the regular season second in the Big 12 in field goal percentage (.570).

Gibson becomes the second Longhorn (T.J. Ford, 2002) to be tabbed Big 12 Freshman of the Year. The guard topped UT in scoring, averaging 14.5 points to go along with 118 assists. Since the mid-January loss of two of Texas' top scorers, Gibson led UT in scoring in seven of its final 12 contests. He has posted double-figure scoring in 13 of the last 14 outings, including four games with 20 points or better. Gibson was fourth in the conference in steals, with 52 in 29 games.

Gillispie is the first Aggie mentor to be named Big 12 Coach of the Year. He led Texas A&M to a tie (San Diego) for the nation's top turnaround, as the squad posted 12 more wins than a year ago. The Aggies also tied the league mark for best turnaround with its eight-game conference improvement after going winless last season. Gillispie set a school record for most wins by a first-year coach and has the Aggies one win away from their first 20-win campaign since 1986.

The All-Big 12 First, Second, Third and Honorable Mention teams were also announced, with each league squad represented. Simien and Lucas were unanimous picks on the first team, as both repeated from 2003-04.

2004-05 PHILLIPS 66 ALL-BIG 12 MEN'S BASKETBALL AWARDS

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Wayne Simien, Kansas, Sr., F, 6-9, 255, Leavenworth, Kan./Leavenworth**

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Taj Gray, Oklahoma, Jr., F, 6-9, 235, Wichita, Kan./Redlands (Okla.) CC

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Daniel Gibson, Texas, Fr., G, 6-2, 190, Houston, Texas/Jones

COACH OF THE YEAR
Billy Gillispie (Texas State `83) - At Texas A&M: First Season, 19-8 (.703); Career: Third Season, 49-40 (.551)

** - Unanimous Selection