Oct. 3, 2012

LUBBOCK, Texas -- Texas Tech junior transfer forward Jackie Patterson was named the Big 12 Conference 2012-13 Preseason Newcomer of the Year on Wednesday, in a vote by the league's coaches.

"This is a great honor for Jackie and our program in the preseason," Tech head coach Kristy Curry said. "I think she realizes she has a lot of hard work ahead and this award come March will mean the most."

Patterson joins Dominic Seals (2007) and Patrice Edwards (2004) as the only Tech players to be chosen for the preseason award.

The 6-foot-1 Patterson averaged 16.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in her two-year career at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College. The Frisco, Texas, native was a two-time NJCAA All-American and led the No. 2 Lady Dragons to a school-best 36-1 record and an appearance in the NJCAA national championship game last season.

Players are voted on by all 10 conference coaches. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own players.

2012-13 BIG 12 CONFERENCE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON AWARDS

(Coaches not allowed to vote for own players)

Preseason Player of the Year

Brittney Griner, Baylor, C, 6-8, Sr., Houston, Texas/Nimitz

Preseason Newcomer of the Year

Jackie Patterson, Texas Tech, F, 6-1, Jr, Frisco, Texas/Hutchinson Community College

Preseason Freshman of the Year

Alexis Prince, Baylor, G, 6-1, Fr, Orlando, Fla./Edgewater High School

Preseason All-Big 12 Team

Name                      School           Pos       Ht        Cl-Exp      PPG      RPG     Hometown/Previous School

Brittney Griner          Baylor             C         6-8        Sr-3L      23.0      9.5      Houston, Texas/Nimitz

Odyssey Sims           Baylor             G         5-8        Jr-2L      14.9      3.0      Irving, Texas/MacArthur

Chelsea Poppens     Iowa State      F         6-2        Sr-3L      14.2     10.6     Aplington, Iowa/Parkersburg

Angel Goodrich          Kansas           G        5-4        Sr-3L      14.0      4.1     Tahlequah, Okla./Sequoyah

Aaryn Ellenberg         Oklahoma       G        5-7        Jr-2L       15.5      3.5      Las Vegas, Nev./Bishop Gorman

Honorable Mention

(listed alphabetically by school)

Destiny Williams (Baylor), Carolyn Davis (Kansas), Brittany Chambers (K-State), Whitney Hand (Oklahoma), Chassidy Fussell (Texas), Asya Bussie (West Virginia)