March 1, 2006

WACO, Texas - Baylor student-athletes Aaron Bruce and Mark Shepherd were named to the 2006 Academic All-Big 12 Men's Basketball teams, the conference office announced Wednesday. Shepherd was named to the first team and Bruce earned second-team honors.

A sophomore forward from Austin, Texas, Shepherd is a walk-on reserve who has played in 10 games this season. He has totaled 10 points and nine rebounds. Shepherd, a pre-business major, has twice been named to the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll.

Bruce is a sophomore guard from Horsham, Victoria, Australia. He averages 11.9 points per game and shoots 41.1 percent on 3-pointers. Bruce is an outdoor recreation major and a two-time Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll recipient.

The academic all-league squad consists of 14 first-team members and seven second-team selections. First-team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.2 or better grade-point average, while the second team are those who have a 3.0 to 3.19 GPA.

To qualify student-athletes must maintain a 3.0 grade point average or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in 60 percent of his team's scheduled contests. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic residence. Senior student-athletes who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are eligible.

2006 Academic All-Big 12 Men's Basketball Team

First Team (3.2-plus GPA; *indicates 4.0 GPA)
Mark Shepherd, Baylor
William Boidock, Colorado
Jeremy Case, Kansas
Sasha Kaun, Kansas
Christian Moody, Kansas
Clent Stewart, Kansas State
Jason Dourisseau, Nebraska
Bronsen Schliep, Nebraska
Tony Wilbrand, Nebraska
Kevin Bookout, Oklahoma
Nate Carter, Oklahoma
Luke Byler, Oklahoma State
Chris Walker, Texas A&M

Second Team (3.0 to 3.19 GPA)
Aaron Bruce, Baylor
Scott Senger, Colorado
Moulaye Niang, Kansas
Jason Horton, Missouri
Connor Atchley, Texas
Mike Williams, Texas
Joseph Jones, Texas A&M