The American Athletic Conference men’s basketball coaches released their preseason awards for the upcoming 2022-23 season.
We briefly give our thoughts below:
Player of the Year: Marcus Sasser, Houston
2022-23 Men’s Basketball Preseason Player of the Year – Marcus Sasser @UHCougarMBK #AmericanHoops pic.twitter.com/DSkwCdigBF
— The American (@American_Conf) October 12, 2022
The senior guard from Dallas, Texas was named the AAC preseason Player of the Year.
This has sparked some discussion over the fact that it was not Memphis guard Kendric Davis — also known as the reigning Conference Player of the Year.
That decision has elicited this response from Davis:
“I’m glad they didn’t pick me as preseason POY. They didn’t pick me last year either. I just went and took it.”https://t.co/DylRYr1Mqk
— Jason Munz (@munzly) October 12, 2022
Sasser missed some of last season with an injury, leaving a void in the conference. And Davis — then at SMU — excelled to snag the end-of-season award.
The 2022-23 Men’s Basketball Preseason All-Conference Fist Team🏀#AmericanHoops pic.twitter.com/RwtHYH3oJR
— The American (@American_Conf) October 12, 2022
Davis and Sasser make up two of three unanimous preseason first-team selections, with Tulane guard Jalen Cook being the third.
These three make up the short list of Player of the Year contenders as we head into the 2022-23 season.
Rookie of the Year: Jarace Walker, Houston
2022-23 Men’s Basketball Preseason Rookie of the Year – Jarace Walker @UHCougarMBK #AmericanHoops pic.twitter.com/AfItmUlYuI
— The American (@American_Conf) October 12, 2022
Walker is a 6-foot-8 forward who attended IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. He was also unanimously given five stars by every college basketball recruiting service.
Alabama, Auburn, and Houston made up this heralded recruit’s top three.
The only other recruits in the top 100 of 247Sports’ Composite rankings to sign with AAC schools are Terrance Arceneaux (Houston, 40th) and Taylor Hendricks (UCF, 64th). Walker was ranked 11th.
Featured image courtesy of Houston athletics
