Everybody knows Wayne Simien physically is one of the strongest basketball players in the Big 12 Conference.

Not everybody realizes the 6-foot-9, 250-pounder, who Monday was named a unanimous first-team Associated Press all-league pick, also is solid as a rock mentally and solid as a boulder spiritually.

“He’s the spiritual leader of our team,” KU associate head coach Norm Roberts said of the junior power forward.

Simien was joined on the all-Big 12 first team by Texas Tech’s Andre Emmett, the only other unanimous pick, plus Oklahoma State’s Tony Allen and John Lucas and Texas’ Brandon Mouton.

“I knew Wayne was certainly going to make first-team all-league,” KU coach Bill Self said. “I didn’t think any way he’d not make it. Statistically, nobody in the league had a better year than him. ‘Dub’ was second in the league in scoring and rebounds. Nobody means more to their team than he means to us. I believe the second half of Big 12 play he put it in another gear.”

Simien, a Leavenworth native, who has had numerous highlights on the court the past two years as in two Final Fours, said his proudest moment off the court was “getting saved this summer at a Christian athletes’ camp where I gave myself to the Lord. It’s my most proud moment thus far.”

Simien, who attends Lawrence’s Morning Star Church, inspires the Jayhawks not only because of his 17.6 points and 9.0 rebounds a game averages on the court, but also his example off the court.

“I think one of the great things about being a Christian, being a man of God,” Self said, “is people see it in your everyday walk and you don’t have to talk about it. People see it daily in how he practices.

“I think he is a tremendous witness by words, but more importantly by actions.”

Kansas University's Wayne Simien (23), seen making a move against Texas Tech in this photo from Feb. 7, was named to the Associated Press All-Big 12 team. Simien, a junior power forward, was an unanimous selection, along with Texas Tech's Andre Emmett (14, in photo), the league announced Monday.

Simien’s actions on the court speak loudly as in 19.0 points off 54.1 percent shooting in 16 Big 12 games.

“Wayne is one of the most talented back-to-the-basket players I’ve been associated with,” Roberts said. “He has probably the softest touch I’ve been associated with. He can bounce it off the rim three times and it’ll still go in. He’s an absolute warrior.

“Wayne has an unbelievable attitude,” he said of the oft-injured player, who has battled groin injuries all season.

“He looks at the glass as always half-full rather than half-empty. I don’t think I’ve been around a guy who always wants to help others as much as Wayne Simien wants to help others.

“He has an inner strength that helps him overcome all things. He is totally at peace with himself.”

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Simien, who today celebrates his 21st birthday, was handed a pair of presents on Monday when he not only was named all-league, but also was selected conference player of the week for the second time this year.

“We’re so proud of him for one more major accomplishment,” said Wayne Simien Sr., who has seen additional growth in his son since Wayne returned from an Athletes for Christ Convention last summer in Austin, Texas, a convention affiliated with Morning Star church.

“He realized he wanted to add this spirituality to his life, that it’d make him an even better person,” Wayne, Sr., added of his son who “has always had spirituality in his life, attending Catholic school for seven years.

“Wayne has always been focused, but this has allowed him to get to another level because spiritually he is serious about it,” Simien Sr. added. “He will do the right things. Not that he was doing the wrong things before. It gives him more direction. It’s helped him focus his life.”

He was focused Sunday, potting 22 points at Missouri. He’s scored 20 or more points in seven of his last nine games.

“I think he is playing as well as anyone in the league,” coach Self said. “The kid does not complain and he has been hurt all year. He pulled his groin the day before the Michigan State game and has gotten worse. He is going to need five to six weeks to heal when the season is over. It has limited his practice time. He only practices the day before games. He’s a tough kid, a terrific player and person.”

Simien says he enters the postseason a happy and motivated man. Last year he couldn’t suit for the NCAA Tournament because of his season-ending shoulder injury.

“I’ve thought about that. I want to be out there,” Simien said. “Last year I wanted to help the team all I could. I couldn’t play because of injury. I tried to look forward to the future which is now. I’m trying to do my part this year.

“I feel good. I really don’t think about it,” Simien added of the groin woes. “I try to go out there and do the best I can, whether it hurts or not I go with it.”

Of KU’s effort Sunday, he said: “It was a tremendous win. So many guys came through. Aaron came through again, hitting another huge three against Missouri. Keith (Langford) hit some big threes early (three in first 10 minutes) and David Padgett showed a lot of guts stepping up and hitting the big shot (game-winner with :02 left). Hopefully it’ll give us some momentum going into the postseason.”

KU’s Keith Langford was joined on the second team by Missouri’s Rickey Paulding and Arthur Johnson, plus Colorado’s David Harrison and Michel Morandais.

KU’s Aaron Miles was on the third team with Iowa State’s Curtis Stinson and Jackson Vroman, Baylor’s Terrance Thomas and Texas’ Royal Ivey.

J.R. Giddens was named to the league’s all-freshman team and Miles to the all-defense team.

“Keith has had a great year and is certainly deserving,” Self said. “I’m a little disappointed Aaron was third team. I think he deserved a little better than that, but all three are deserving.”