Houston Guard LJ Cryer Earns Two All-America Honors, Prepares for NCAA Tournament

HOUSTON, Texas – University of Houston graduate guard LJ Cryer earned recognition as a Third Team All-American from both the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) on March 18, 2025. This marks the second consecutive season he has received All-America honors, showcasing his consistency and prowess on the basketball court.

Earlier this month, Cryer secured a spot on The Sporting News All-America Third Team, further solidifying his status among the top players in collegiate basketball. A native of Katy, Texas, he has been a key contributor for the Cougars throughout the 2024-25 season, starting all 34 games.

Cryer reached a significant milestone this season by joining the Cougars’ 1,000-Point Club. He also became only the third player in school history to have multiple seasons with over 100 three-point field goals, joining former Houston standouts Robert McKiver and Corey Davis Jr. This season, he has led his team with ten 20-point games, including a career-high 30 points against Alabama during the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas on November 26, 2024.

In addition to his scoring ability, Cryer tops the Cougars and the Big 12 Conference with a 42.2 three-point shooting percentage and boasts a 91.5 free throw percentage, just shy of league and national qualifying minimums. Last week, he was also recognized as an All-Big 12 Conference First Team selection and honored as the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Cryer graduated with a bachelor’s degree in integrated studies from Houston in May 2024 and is currently pursuing post-baccalaureate studies in health, maintaining an impressive 3.72 cumulative GPA.

The annual NABC and USBWA All-America teams are significant recognitions in collegiate basketball, shining a light on the standout players across the nation. In this season’s selections, several other players received honors, with notable mentions including Auburn’s Johni Broome and Duke’s Cooper Flagg among the top teams.

As the NCAA tournament beckons, Cryer and the Cougars are set to take on Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) on Thursday at 1 p.m. Central Time. The matchup marks Houston’s first step in the postseason at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas, where they aim to advance further in the tournament.

Fans can watch the game on CBS, featuring commentators such as Tom McCarthy, Debbie Antonelli, and Steve Smith. For those tuning in through radio, coverage will be available on 950 AM KPRC, as well as through Sirius channels 211 and 204.