March 10, 2003
Dallas, Texas - Juniors Arthur Johnson and Ricky Clemons and freshman Jimmy McKinney received recognition for their outstanding play this season, as Big 12 Conference writers selected them to three specialty teams. Johnson was named to the All-Improved team; Clemons earned a spot on the All-Newcomer team while the league writers named McKinney to the All-Freshman team.
Johnson has had a great season averaging 15.4 points and 9.2 rebounds (6th-Big 12) per contest. He has recorded a league leading 15 double-doubles this season and became Mizzou's all-time leading shot blocker earlier this year. He now has 181 career blocks after a four-block performance against Kansas on Sunday.
Clemons has been an outstanding addition to the Tiger lineup this year. A transfer from the College of Southern Idaho, he has posted 15.7 points and a team-leading 4.1 assists per contest. Clemons was twice named the Phillips 66 Big 12 Newcomer of the Week during the regular season and is currently tied for fifth on the MU three-point field goals made in a season chart with 81 threes. He also ranks first in the Big 12 in three-point field goals made per game averaging 3.12 threes per contest
McKinney has stepped in and taken over the point guard duties the last half of the season. He has started 20 of the 26 games he has played in for Mizzou as a true freshman and has reached double figures in scoring in 10 games. McKinney is averaging 8.5 points, 3.4 assists and 4.0 rebounds per contest through the Kansas game.
Missouri (18-9 overall, 9-7 in Big 12 Conference play), is preparing for its opening round game of the Big 12 Tournament in Dallas, Texas. The fifth seeded Tigers will face the 12th-seeded Nebraska (11-18, 3-13 Big 12) Thursday afternoon at 2:20 p.m. at American Airlines Center. The game can be seen on ESPN+ (KMIZ in Columbia) with Fred White and Jon Sundvold calling the action. The game will be broadcast on the Internet at www.mutigers.com.
Following is a complete list of all of specialty teams that were announced on Monday:
All-Freshman Antoine Wright, Texas A&M Kevin Bookout, Oklahoma Brad Buckman, Texas Jimmy McKinney, Missouri Adam Haluska, Iowa StateAll-Newcomer Ricky Clemons, Missouri Tony Allen, Oklahoma State Tim Barnes, Iowa State Jackson Vroman, Iowa State Andrew Drevo, Nebraska
All-Reserve Kevin Turner, Texas A&M Cheyne Gadson, Oklahoma State De'Angelo Alexander, Oklahoma Sydmill Harris, Texas Brian Boddicker, Texas
All-Defense Royal Ivey, Texas Melvin Sanders, Oklahoma State James Thomas, Texas Kirk Hinrich, Kansas Hollis Price, Oklahoma
All-Underrated Kasib Powell, Texas Tech Quannas White, Oklahoma Keith Langford, Kansas Lawrence Roberts, Baylor Gilson DeJesus, Kansas State
All-Improved Michel Morandais, Colorado Arthur Johnson, Missouri David Harrison, Colorado Matt Seibrandt, Kansas State Kenny Taylor, Baylor