Azore Named To Sun Belt Preseason Second Team
11/11/2020 1:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
NEW ORLEANS – UT Arlington redshirt junior David Azore has been named to the 2020-21 Sun Belt Conference Men's Basketball Preseason Second Team, as voted on by the league's head coaches.
Â
Azore – UTA's leading returning scorer at 14 points per game – was selected to the Sun Belt Second Team last year, in addition to earning a spot on the NABC All-District Second Team.
Â
The Houston native also led the Mavericks in steals (33) and free-throws made (119) last season, while tying for the team lead in assists (3.7 per game) and ranking 3rd in rebounding (4.8 per contest). Those 119 connections from the charity stripe by Azore represented 29 percent of UTA's total free throws made during the season (409).
Â
In conference games last year, Azore averaged 15 points per game to tie for 8th in the league. He also ranked tied for 5th in the Sun Belt for assists and was 3rd in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.8). In league games, the guard's 45-percent rate from the floor (106-236) was 3rd-best in the Sun Belt.
Â
As part of his breakthrough redshirt sophomore campaign, Azore poured in a career-high 33 points at Georgia Southern on Dec. 21 – a total that was tied for the 2nd-most by any Sun Belt player during the season. He also added 12 rebounds in that game to represent one of only four 30-point double-doubles all year in the Sun Belt.
Â
In total, the 6-foot-4 Azore registered three double-doubles in 2019-20. He had 27 games of double-figure points, including 21-straight contests from Nov. 9-Jan. 30.
Â
The complete list of Sun Belt preseason teams is listed at the end of this release. On Thursday, league officials will release the preseason coaches' poll, which this year will be split into two divisions – East and West – as the league has moved to a divisional schedule to help curb the travel impacts associated with COVID-19.
Â
Azore and the Mavs will commence their unprecedented 2020-21 season at home on Wednesday, Nov. 25, at 3 p.m. when they welcome Oklahoma State to the College Park Center for a game which will be shown live on ESPN2. The rest of the non-conference schedule will be released on Friday.
Â
As previously announced, UTA Athletics officials plan to allow a limited amount of fans to attend home games this year. Season tickets start at just $99, and for more information – or to purchase tickets (including single-game tickets) – contact Alex Ware at 817-272-9613 or alex.ware@uta.edu.
Â
Additionally, College Park Center officials have created a comprehensive COVID protocol document and procedures. Click here to view all COVID policies for home UTA men's basketball games this year.
Â
SUN BELT PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Ruot Monyyong, Little Rock
Â
SUN BELT PRESEASON FIRST TEAM
Ruot Monyyong, Little Rock
Markquis Nowell, Little Rock
Justin Forrest, Appalachian State
Kane Williams, Georgia State
DeVante Jones, Coastal Carolina
Â
SUN BELT PRESEASON SECOND TEAM
David Azore, UT Arlington
Mylik Wilson, Louisiana
Marquis Eaton, Arkansas State
Elijah McCadden, Georgia Southern
Justin Roberts, Georgia State
Â
SUN BELT PRESEASON THIRD TEAM
Cedric Russell, Louisiana
Michael Flowers, South Alabama
Ben Coupet Jr, Little Rock
Zack Bryant, Georgia Southern
Caleb Fields, Arkansas State
Â
FOLLOW ALONG
For updates, behind-the-scenes photos, videos and more engaging and personal content, be sure to follow the men's basketball program on Twitter (@UTAMavsMBB), Instagram (@UTAMavsMBB) and Facebook (/UTAMavsMBB).
Â
Azore – UTA's leading returning scorer at 14 points per game – was selected to the Sun Belt Second Team last year, in addition to earning a spot on the NABC All-District Second Team.
Â
The Houston native also led the Mavericks in steals (33) and free-throws made (119) last season, while tying for the team lead in assists (3.7 per game) and ranking 3rd in rebounding (4.8 per contest). Those 119 connections from the charity stripe by Azore represented 29 percent of UTA's total free throws made during the season (409).
Â
In conference games last year, Azore averaged 15 points per game to tie for 8th in the league. He also ranked tied for 5th in the Sun Belt for assists and was 3rd in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.8). In league games, the guard's 45-percent rate from the floor (106-236) was 3rd-best in the Sun Belt.
Â
As part of his breakthrough redshirt sophomore campaign, Azore poured in a career-high 33 points at Georgia Southern on Dec. 21 – a total that was tied for the 2nd-most by any Sun Belt player during the season. He also added 12 rebounds in that game to represent one of only four 30-point double-doubles all year in the Sun Belt.
Â
In total, the 6-foot-4 Azore registered three double-doubles in 2019-20. He had 27 games of double-figure points, including 21-straight contests from Nov. 9-Jan. 30.
Â
The complete list of Sun Belt preseason teams is listed at the end of this release. On Thursday, league officials will release the preseason coaches' poll, which this year will be split into two divisions – East and West – as the league has moved to a divisional schedule to help curb the travel impacts associated with COVID-19.
Â
Azore and the Mavs will commence their unprecedented 2020-21 season at home on Wednesday, Nov. 25, at 3 p.m. when they welcome Oklahoma State to the College Park Center for a game which will be shown live on ESPN2. The rest of the non-conference schedule will be released on Friday.
Â
As previously announced, UTA Athletics officials plan to allow a limited amount of fans to attend home games this year. Season tickets start at just $99, and for more information – or to purchase tickets (including single-game tickets) – contact Alex Ware at 817-272-9613 or alex.ware@uta.edu.
Â
Additionally, College Park Center officials have created a comprehensive COVID protocol document and procedures. Click here to view all COVID policies for home UTA men's basketball games this year.
Â
SUN BELT PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Ruot Monyyong, Little Rock
Â
SUN BELT PRESEASON FIRST TEAM
Ruot Monyyong, Little Rock
Markquis Nowell, Little Rock
Justin Forrest, Appalachian State
Kane Williams, Georgia State
DeVante Jones, Coastal Carolina
Â
SUN BELT PRESEASON SECOND TEAM
David Azore, UT Arlington
Mylik Wilson, Louisiana
Marquis Eaton, Arkansas State
Elijah McCadden, Georgia Southern
Justin Roberts, Georgia State
Â
SUN BELT PRESEASON THIRD TEAM
Cedric Russell, Louisiana
Michael Flowers, South Alabama
Ben Coupet Jr, Little Rock
Zack Bryant, Georgia Southern
Caleb Fields, Arkansas State
Â
FOLLOW ALONG
For updates, behind-the-scenes photos, videos and more engaging and personal content, be sure to follow the men's basketball program on Twitter (@UTAMavsMBB), Instagram (@UTAMavsMBB) and Facebook (/UTAMavsMBB).
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballTuesday, September 22
Tuesday, September 15
Thursday, September 03
Wednesday, September 02
