March 7, 2005

Columbia, MO - University of Missouri forward Linas Kleiza was recognized for his outstanding sophomore season today as he was named to the All-Big 12 Honorable Mention Team. The All-Big 12 honors are selected by the league's head coaches, who are not allowed to vote for their own players.

Kleiza, who was a finalist for Big 12 Freshman of the Year last season, has averaged 14.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game over the course of the regular season. He has led Mizzou in scoring, rebounding or in both categories in 22 of the Tigers' 30 games so far this season. The native of Kaunas, Lithuania, has recorded nine double-doubles (which ranks third in the Big 12) with three double-doubles in the Tigers' last four games. His latest effort was of double-double caliber as he scored 15 points and equaled a career-high with 14 rebounds in the Tigers' win over No. 7 Kansas on Sunday.

Kleiza and the Tigers will begin play in the Phillips 66 Big 12 on Thursday at 11:30 am in Kansas City, MO. Mizzou will take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the opening round. The Tigers are 7-0 in opening round of the Big 12 tournament since the inception of the league and will face No. 1 seeded Oklahoma on Friday at 11:30 am at Kemper Arena if they can defeat the Huskers. For more information on Mizzou basketball, log on to www.mutigers.com.