Disu named Big 12's most improved player, Abmas tabbed to second team

AUSTIN (KXAN) — He was shooting shots from a chair while recovering from offseason foot surgery and didn't participate in on-court drills before the season began, but that didn't stop Dylan Disu from becoming one of the Big 12 Conference's most impactful players this season.

Disu was named to the All-Big 12 first team and the conference's most improved player after leading the Longhorns to a 9-9 conference record and No. 7 seed in the conference tournament. He led the Longhorns in scoring during conference play at 17.2 points per game with 5.2 rebounds. He shot 50% from the field including 48.6% from 3-point range in 26.7 minutes per game.

Disu was the only forward to be named to the conference's top team. Houston's Jamal Shead, a Manor native, was named the Big 12 player of the year and only unanimous choice to the first team. He was also the conference's defensive player of the year. Iowa State's Tamin Lipsey and Kansas' Kevin McCullar Jr. were the other guards named to the first team while Kansas' Hunter Dickinson made the team as a center.

Graduate transfer guard Max Abmas was named to two postseason teams, the All-Big 12 second team and the all-newcomer team. Abmas averaged 16.6 points per game during Big 12 play and led the team with 76 assists. He shot 91% from the foul line and 41.4% from the field including 36% from 3-point range.

Abmas was one of four guards selected for the all-newcomer team with Dickinson earning newcomer of the year as the only frontcourt player on the team. Baylor's RayJ Dennis, Iowa State's Keshon Gilbert and Texas Tech's Darrion Williams joined Abmas.

Houston's Kelvin Sampson was named the coach of the year, Baylor's Ja'Kobe Walker was the freshman of the year and BYU's Jaxson Robinson won the sixth man award for best reserve.

Texas (20-11, 9-9 Big 12) takes on Kansas State in the Big 12 Conference tournament at 6 p.m. CT Wednesday.