KU’s Taylor, Robinson named to All-District 8 First Team

Kansas senior guard Tyshawn Taylor and junior forward Thomas Robinson have been named to the 2012 National Association of Basketball Coaches All-District 8 First Team it was announced Wednesday.

Selected and voted on by member coaches of the NABC, these student-athletes represent the finest basketball players across America. The 240 student-athletes, from 24 districts, are now eligible for the NABC Coaches’ Division I All-America teams, to be announced on Tuesday, March 20.

Taylor and Robinson have both become accustomed to receiving accolades this season. Earlier this week Taylor was named a Third Team All-American by CBSSports.com, while Robinson earned first team honors.

Robinson, a Washington, D.C. native, is averaging 17.9 points and 11.8 rebounds per game this season. He leads the Big 12 in double-doubles (23) and rebounds per game (11.8). His 23 double-doubles are tied for first nationally with Siena’s O.D. Anosike. Against eight nationally-ranked teams in 2011-12, Robinson averaged 19.8 points and 12.3 rebounds while shooting 55.6 percent.

Taylor, a Hoboken, N.J. native, led Kansas in conference games with an 18.6 scoring average. A two-time Big 12 Player of the Week this season, Taylor’s 17.3 points per game overall in 2011-12 rank fourth in the league. Taylor fared well against the eight ranked foes Kansas faced in 2011-12 averaging 19.1 points, 4.9 assists and shooting 48.0 from the field, 50.0 percent from three-point range. He also had five of his 12 games with 20-points against ranked competition this season. Taylor ranks among the top six in the Big 12 in scoring (17.3 ppg), field goal percentage (49.2 percent), three-point field goal percentage (43.5 percent) and assists (4.8 apg).

The Jayhawks will take on the No. 15-seeded Detroit from the Horizon League on Friday, March 16, at approximately 8:57 p.m. (Central) at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Neb. The game will be televised on truTV. Kansas will have an open practice in the venue on Thursday, March 15, from 5:10-5:50 p.m.

— KU Sports Information —