Guard Jamal Shead Taken in NBA Draft on Thursday

University of Houston’s point guard Jamal Shead, who led the Cougars to an impressive 32-5 record in 2023-24, has taken his talents to the professional level. He was chosen by the Toronto Raptors as the 45th overall pick in the NBA Draft’s Second Round. Shead had an outstanding season, helping Houston secure their first Big 12 regular-season championship and maintaining their position as a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year.

He received numerous accolades, including being named a Consensus First-Team All-American, National Defensive Player of the Year, and recipient of the Nolan Richardson Award. Shead was also a finalist for the Naismith and John R. Wooden Player of the Year awards. Besides his achievements on the court, he obtained his bachelor’s degree in health promotions. Now, Shead eagerly awaits his professional journey in the NBA.

ABOUT JAMAL SHEAD

Jamal Shead, University of Houston’s standout point guard, has advanced to the professional stage, being selected by the Toronto Raptors as the 45th overall pick in the NBA Draft’s Second Round. During the 2023-24 season, Shead led the Cougars to an impressive 32-5 record, clinching their first Big 12 regular-season championship and securing a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year.

His accolades include being named a Consensus First-Team All-American, National Defensive Player of the Year, and recipient of the Nolan Richardson Award. Additionally, Shead was a finalist for the Naismith and John R. Wooden Player of the Year awards. Off the court, he earned his bachelor’s degree in health promotions. Now, Shead looks forward to starting his NBA career.

Shead was instrumental throughout his career, especially in the 2023-24 season, finishing with a remarkable 120-18 record over four years, ranking second in school history for total victories. He played a key defensive role, recording 226 steals (third in school history) and 80 steals in a single season (sixth in school history).

Shead’s performance earned him numerous honors, including Big 12 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first in conference history to achieve both in the same season. He was also a top player in assists, steals, and assist-turnover ratio in the Big 12, and scored double-digit points in 27 games.

With Shead’s selection, he becomes the 47th player from Houston to be drafted into the NBA, continuing a trend under Head Coach Kelvin Sampson, who has seen multiple players drafted in recent years. Shead also made history as the first Cougar picked by the Raptors. Fans can support the Houston Men’s Basketball program through the 50-50 Club, providing financial backing and receiving exclusive benefits.