Follow UC Davis: Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Facebook
  
DAVIS, Calif. – Senior communication major TJ Shorts II and junior economics major Joe Mooney earned All-Big West distinction on Monday when conference officials announced this year's honor roll. For the second straight season, Shorts II earned a spot on the league's first team; by receiving honorable mention, Mooney collected his first career all-conference award.
 
Shorts II, the first player in Big West history named Player and Newcomer of the Year when the Big West announced its award recipients at this time last season, is now part of an exclusive list: He and Corey Hawkins are the only Aggies to receive multiple All-Big West First Team selections.
 
Known by college basketball experts and fans alike as one of the top point guards in the country, Shorts II will enter Thursday's Big West Tournament quarterfinal ranked in six statistical categories, which further highlights the Tustin native's multi-faceted skill set. The league's leader in steals, at 1.6 per game, is also ranked No. 4 in assists (4.2 apg), No. 7 in field goal percentage (.490), No. 8 in scoring (14.7 ppg), assist/turnover ratio (1.4) and No. 13 in rebounds (4.8 rpg).
 
As the season progressed, Shorts II's production increased as well since no Aggie holds a higher scoring (15.2 ppg) and rebound average (4.6), during league play.
 
Another Aggie who played a key role on both ends of the court for UC Davis throughout the year was Mooney. Known throughout the league for his defensive prowess and three-point shooting, the Wauconda, Ill. native is another central element of opposing team's game plans, and rightfully so.
 
Throughout league play, he is averaging 2.6 three-pointers per game and shooting .457 from distance — figures that rank him No. 2 and No. 3 respectively — which is why his 13.3 points per game average is the 10th-highest among all players. Highlighted by his career-high 29-point performance at Long Beach State, the third-year guard posted double-figure point totals in 13 games, including his last three entering this year's BWC playoffs.
 
Mooney is also making opponents pay dearly when fouled, as evident by his .824 free throw percentage this season, which includes a .939 clip throughout conference play.

Of the four quarterfinals taking place on Thursday inside the Honda Center, UC Davis' 2:30 p.m. matchup versus Cal State Fullerton highlights the Big West Tournament's opening day since these are the conference's last two representatives at the NCAA Tournament. These teams split the season series, and defeated the other in their respective championship runs.

ESPN3 will broadcast this game across the nation, one that is also available on WatchESPN.com. In addition to a radio broadcast on Money 105.5 FM, and online through its TuneIn channel, fans can access live stats and in-game Twitter links on the Aggies' Gameday Central page at UCDavisAggies.com.
 
 
 
AGGIE EVO
Established during the 2017-18 academic year, the Aggie EVO System is UC Davis Athletics' investment in the primary mission of preparing student-athletes for a successful "launch" after graduation.
 
Thanks to a collaboration of alumni, university resources, corporate partners, coaches and Student-Athlete Outcomes staff, all Aggies are guided over four years to acquire the skills, knowledge, opportunities and tools to better know and navigate the "World of Work" after graduating from UC Davis.
 
Follow the Aggie EVO system on Twitter and Instagram at @AggieEVO.
 
TOGETHER, WE CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING
Directly impact the lives of potential, and current UC Davis basketball student-athletes, by joining the Aggie Round Table.
 
With support from this select group of insiders, the men's basketball program can expand its recruiting efforts to find prospects who will thrive at the fifth-ranked public school in the nation, compete at a championship level and represent the University in a first-class manner as one of its ambassadors. 
 
Contact Liz Martin (Assistant Athletics Director, Leadership Giving & Alumni Engagement) at (530) 574-8623 or emartin@ucdavis.edu to find out how you can join this exclusive club!
 
ABOUT UC DAVIS
Providing a small-town community feel while providing a world-class academic experience, UC Davis is home to more than 37,000 students and centrally located between San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and the Napa Valley.
 
The No. 5-ranked public university in the nation, according to the Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education, offers nearly 100 graduate programs and more than 100 academic majors across four colleges and six professional schools, ranking among the world and nation's best in numerous disciplines, including veterinary science, agriculture, and plant and animal programs.