[ UH ATHLETICS ]
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Hawaii senior guard Michael Kuebler, who was named a first-team Academic All- American last week, received first-team All-WAC honors yesterday. Kuebler was the only Hawaii player named to the All-WAC team.
Honor roll
UH’s Michael Kuebler
continues receiving awards
FRESNO, Calif. >> The honors keep rolling in for Michael Kuebler.
The Hawaii basketball team's leading scorer, who was named an Academic All-American last week, added an All-Western Athletic Conference first-team selection to his list of accolades yesterday.
"He's the second-leading scorer in the league and he's been very consistent," Hawaii coach Riley Wallace said. "He'll be an academic All-American and first-team All-Conference. It makes it a complete year for him."
While Kuebler's selection gave Hawaii a first-team pick for the fourth consecutive season following the trend set by Predrag Savovic (2001, 02) and Carl English (2003), he was the only Hawaii player honored by the league's coaches.
A strong crop of first-year players around the WAC left UH sophomore forward Julian Sensley, the Rainbows' second-leading scorer, off the All-Newcomer Team.
After posting a career-high 24 points against Fresno State on Saturday, Sensley ended the regular season averaging 12.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.
Wallace said he was surprised that Sensley didn't make the newcomer team, but added that he'll have his opportunity to earn recognition down the road.
"He's got time, but he's got to be more consistent probably," Wallace said. "He's definitely one of the five best in the league; he just needs to do it every night."
Kuebler, a 6-foot-4 senior, was named to the All-Newcomer Team last season and followed with a senior season in which he was among the top two in the WAC in scoring much of the year.
He averaged 18.1 points per game and connected on 84 3-pointers.
Nevada guard Kirk Snyder repeated as a first-team selection and was named the WAC Player of the Year.
Snyder's all-around game led to averages of 20.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists as he led the Wolf Pack to the top seed in this week's McCaffrey WAC Tournament.
"(Snyder has) size, athleticism and he's a very skilled person," Wallace said. "He's got some handle, takes it to the hole, can play above the rim and he can shoot with range."
UTEP coach Billy Gillispie won the Don Haskins Coach of the Year award for leading the Miners to a 22-6 record one season after a 6-24 campaign.
Louisiana Tech forward Paul Millsap, the nation's leading rebounder (12.3 rpg) was the WAC Freshman of the Year.
Also making the first team were Boise State forward Aaron Haynes, Rice forward Michael Harris and Texas-El Paso guard Filiberto Rivera, who also made the All-Newcomer and All-Defensive teams.
Rivera and Millsap also made the All-Newcomer team, along with Fresno State guard Shantay Legans, the WAC Player of the Week; Nevada forward Nick Fazekas; and UTEP forward Omar Thomas.
"There were a lot of good (newcomers)," Wallace said. "It looks good for the league for the future."
Joining Rivera on the All-Defensive team were Boise State forward Jason Ellis, Fresno State center Mustafa Al-Sayyad, Nevada guard Garry Hill-Thomas and Tulsa forward Jarius Glenn.
All-Western Athletic Conference
First team
Aaron Haynes, Boise State, F, 6-7, 180, Sr.; Michael Kuebler, Hawai'i, G, 6-5, 185, Sr.; Kirk Snyder, Nevada, G/F, 6-6, 225, Jr.; Michael Harris, Rice, F, 6-6, 225, Jr.; Filiberto Rivera, UTEP, G, 6-1, 165, Jr.Second Team
Shantay Legans, Fresno State, G, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Paul Millsap, Louisiana Tech, F, 6-8, 200, Fr.; Jason McKrieth, Rice, G, 6-4, 210, Jr.; Omar Thomas, UTEP, F, 6-5, 205, Jr.; Jason Parker, Tulsa, G, 6-2, 180, Sr.Player of the Year: Kirk Snyder, Nevada
Freshman of the Year: Paul Millsap, Louisiana Tech
Don Haskins Coach of the Year: Billy Gillispie, UTEPAll-Newcomer Team
Shantay Legans, Fresno State, G, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Paul Millsap, Louisiana Tech, F, 6-8, 200, Fr.; Nick Fazekas, Nevada, F, 6-11, 215, Fr.; Filiberto Rivera, UTEP, G, 6-1, 165, Jr.; Omar Thomas, UTEP, F, 6-5, 205, Jr.All-Defensive Team
Jason Ellis, Boise State, F, 6-7, 216, Jr.; Mustafa Al-Sayyad, Fresno State, F/C, 6-9, 225, Jr.; Garry Hill-Thomas, Nevada, G, 6-4, 200, Sr.; Filiberto Rivera, UTEP, G, 6-1, 165, Jr.; Jarius Glenn, Tulsa, F, 6-6, 220, Jr.
