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DAVIS, Calif. - Junior communication major TJ Shorts II was one of 68 individuals nominated to the National Association of Basketball Coaches Give Back Team when the organization revealed this year's selections from across the nation.

Shorts II was the only individual from the Big West Conference to earn accolades from the NABC.

In addition to toy and food drives that took place throughout the season, the Big West Player and Newcomer of the Year helped organize the team's Reading Program, which involves more than 20,000 students from elementary schools throughout Yolo and Sacramento counties.

The NABC's Give Back Team recognizes players at all levels of college basketball whose charitable involvement, academic and on-court success stand out among all other student-athletes participating in the sport.

This is the latest accolade received by the Tustin native during his outstanding junior season at UC Davis, one that saw him become the first player in conference history to capture the league's top two individual honors. He also earned a spot on the All-Big West First Team and three player of the week awards in his first season as an Aggie.

In addition to posting UC Davis' second triple-double in its Big West era, the seventh overall by a Big West player since 1988 and the first by an Aggie since 2007, Shorts II ended the 2017-18 season averaging 14.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. He also led all BWC players with a 1.9 steals per game average, which helped him set a new Div. I single-season program record in total steals (63).

During league play, he averaged a team-high 17.8 ppg, earned 79 of his 146 assists, and hit game-winning baskets at Long Beach State and at home against UC Riverside.

With Shorts II leading the way, UC Davis won a Big West championship and advanced to postseason play for the third time in the last four seasons.


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