« Men’s Basketball 2008-09

A.J. Abrams

School
University of Texas
Position
Guard
PPG
16.9
RPG
2.5
APG
1.7
A.J. Abrams

Classroom

A.J. is on pace to earn his bachelor’s degree in Youth & Community Studies in May 2009. He earned a spot on both the Spring 2007 and Spring 2008 Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll (minimum 3.0 GPA).

Character

A.J. has been a consummate team player throughout his first three years in Austin. He has been a team leader since his sophomore season.

Head Coach Rick Barnes on A.J.
“A.J. has quietly gone about having one of the great careers in the history of Texas Basketball. He has had an impact in all facets of this program, both on and off the court. From those outside our program, he has always played behind other players who have garnered more attention, whether it be Daniel Gibson, LaMarcus Aldridge, P.J. Tucker, Kevin Durant or D.J. Augustin. A.J.’s true character has been shown in the way that he has handled himself and never let any of that bother him. He has been an excellent team player and should be remembered here as one of the truly great individuals to come through the Texas program.”

Community

A.J. has been active in returning to his high school (Round Rock McNeil HS) throughout his time at UT to do speaking engagements and serve as a mentor to children in that community. He also has been a mainstay in media interviews, both locally and nationally throughout his career. He has been a UT representative at Big 12 Conference Media Day in each of the last three seasons.

Competition

Recently named one of 30 midseason candidates for the 2009 Wooden Award, Abrams is the top returning scorer in the Big 12 Conference (16.5 ppg). He enters his senior year ranked No. 14 on UT’s all-time career scoring list (1,389 points). Abrams is already the all-time career leader in 3-point field goals made (284 entering his senior year). He is on pace to break the school record for career games played (record is 134, Abrams has played in 109 entering this year). As a junior, Abrams earned spots on the USBWA All-District VII Team, the NABC All-District 9 Second Team and the All-Big 12 Second Team.