Big 12 Releases Preseason All-Conference Basketball Team
The 2023-24 college basketball season is set to get underway in just a few weeks, which will mark the dawn of a new era in Big 12 hoops as Houston, Cincinnati, BYU, and UCF all join the conference.
For just one season, the conference will consist of 14 schools, giving us a unique conference race to keep up with this season. Then, ahead of the 2024-25 season, Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, and Colorado will come into the Big 12 as well.
With just under a month left until this season begins, the Big 12 Conference has released its Preseason All-Conference men’s basketball team, just one day ahead of the preseason poll being released.
Here’s a look at the all-conference team, including the Preseason Player, Newcomer, and Freshman of the Year, as voted on by the league’s head coaches.
Preseason All-Big 12 Individual Awards
Preseason Player of the Year, Preseason Newcomer of the Year: Hunter Dickinson, Kansas, C
“A fourth-year transfer from Michigan, Dickinson earned many national and conference honors with the Wolverines, including Consensus All-America Second Team in 2021. He was a three-time All-Big Ten selection with first-team honors in 2022 and 2023. The 7-2 center averaged 17.2 points and 8.4 rebounds for his career and led Michigan in points and rebounds each of the last three seasons. Dickinson has compiled career statistics of 1,617 points, 787 rebounds, and 149 blocked shots. The general studies major was named to the All-Big Ten Academic Team in 2022 and 2023.”
Preseason Freshman of the Year: Ja’Kobe Walter, Baylor, F
“Walter played his senior season of high school at Link Academy in Branson, Missouri, helping the team to a 24-1 record in 2022-23. He was a McDonald’s All-America selection and ESPN’s No. 17-rated player. Originally from McKinney, Texas, Walter led MHS to its first state championship game, where he scored a team-high 23 points against Duncanville. He averaged 23.3 points and 7.6 rebounds during his junior year and was 5-6A Offensive Player of the Year. Walter also earned a spot on the 2021-22 Texas Association of Basketball Coaches All-State Team and the 6A All-State Tournament Team.“
Preseason All-Big 12 Team
| Name, School | Pos. | Ht. | Cl. | Hometown/Previous School(s) |
| L.J. Cryer, Houston | G | 6-1 | Sr. | Katy, Texas/Morton Ranch/Baylor |
| Hunter Dickinson, Kansas | C | 7-2 | Sr. | Alexandria, Va./DeMatha Catholic/Michigan |
| Dejuan Harris Jr., Kansas | G | 6-2 | Jr. | Columbia, Mo./Rock Bridge |
| Emanuel Miller, TCU | F | 6-7 | Sr. | Scarborough, Ontario/Prolific Prep/Texas A&M |
| Max Abmas, Texas | G | 6-0 | Gr. | Rockwall, Texas/Jesuit College Prep/Oral Roberts |
Honorable Mention (listed alphabetically by school): Jalen Bridges (Baylor), RayJ Dennis (Baylor), Ja’Kobe Walter (Baylor), Jamal Shead (Houston), Kevin McCullar Jr. (Kansas), Arthur Kaluma (Kansas State), Tylor Perry (Kansas State), Dylan Disu (Texas), Tyrese Hunter (Texas), Dillon Mitchell (Texas), Jesse Edwards (West Virginia).
