Wayne Simien Named Big 12 Player of the Week

Nov. 22, 2004

DALLAS – Wayne Simien (Kansas) and Taj Gray (Oklahoma) have been named Phillips 66 Big 12 Conference Player and Rookie of the Week for games of Nov. 15-21 in voting by a panel of media covering the conference. Simien is Player of the Week for the third time in his career, while Gray’s win is the first for an OU rookie since Drew Lavender won on Feb. 16, 2004.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Wayne Simien, Kansas, Sr., F, 6-9, 255, Leavenworth, Kan./Leavenworth

Simien scored 25 points and pulled down 14 rebounds as the Jayhawks defeated two-time America East champion Vermont, 68-61. The senior forward shot 53.3 percent (9-of-10) from the field and hit nine of 10 shots from the free throw stripe. He had a double-double in the first half, recording 10 points and 11 rebounds in the first 20 minutes. It was the 23rd double-double of his career and the 18th time he has scored 20 points or more in a game.

ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Taj Gray, Oklahoma, Jr., F, 6-9, 235, Wichita, Kan./Redlands (Okla.) Community College

Gray led the Sooners to a 82-72 victory over Cal State Northridge in the season-opener on Saturday. The junior forward scored 29 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, posting game-highs in both categories. He shot 52.9 percent from the field (9-of-17) and hit 84.6 percent (9-of-11) from the free throw line. He also recorded four assists, four blocks and a steal. The scoring total tied the mark for most points in an OU debut under head coach Kelvin Sampson as Gray scored 23 of 29 points after halftime.