GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Grad forward Tyrese Samuel has been named Associated Press second-team All-SEC, the AP announced on Tuesday.
Samuel has averaged 13.8 points and leads the Gators with 7.5 rebounds per game and 36 steals this season. He has 10 double-doubles this season, surpassed only by Al Horford, David Lee and Udonis Haslem during the 2000s.
Samuel enters the postseason averaging 17.5 points over the last six games, a stretch that includes his career-high 28-point outing against Missouri. Earlier this season, Samuel became the first player since Tim Duncan to put up at least 22 points, 13 rebounds and four blocked shots in a top-10 road win, posting that line in the Gators’ victory at 10th-ranked Kentucky.
Samuel earned SEC Player of the Week honors and NIT Tip-Off All-Tournament Team honors after the Gators’ Thanksgiving tournament in November, which included a stat-stuffing performance in the win vs. Pitt with 20 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocked shots.
The Montreal native, who has started every game for the Gators this season, leads the SEC in field goal percentage (.573) and ranks third in offensive rebounds (2.97), fourth in rebounds (7.52), ninth in defensive rebounds (4.55) and 11th in blocked shots (1.06).
Samuel joins teammates Zyon Pullin and Walter Clayton Jr. as All-SEC honorees as UF’s backcourt dup earned placement on the coaches’ team on Monday. Samuel’s fellow frontcourt mate Alex Condon also earned SEC All-Freshman honors Monday.
The Gators next travel to Nashville to take on Georgia or Missouri in the SEC Tournament on Thursday at approximately 9:30 p.m.
AP All-SEC Honorees
FIRST TEAM
Guard — Antonio Reeves, Kentucky, 5th year, 6-6, 195, Chicago.
Guard — Mark Sears, Alabama, Sr., 6-1, 185, Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
u-Guard — Dalton Knecht, Tennessee, 5th year, 6-6, 213, Thornton, Colorado.
Forward — Johni Broome, Auburn, Jr., 6-10, 240, Plant City, Florida.
t-Forward — Tolu Smith, Mississippi State, grad, 6-11, 245, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
t-Forward — Jonas Aidoo, Tennessee, Jr., 6-11, 240, Durham, North Carolina.
t-tied for first team.
SECOND TEAM
Guard — Wade Taylor IV, Texas A&M, Jr. 6-0, 175, Dallas.
Guard — Reed Sheppard, Kentucky, Fr., 6-3, 187, London, Kentucky.
Guard — Zakai Ziegler, Tennessee, Jr., 5-9, 171, Long Island, New York.
Forward — Jaylin Williams, Auburn, grad, 6-8, 245, Nahunta, Georgia.
Forward — Tyrese Samuel, Florida, grad, 6-10, 239, Montreal.
INDIVIDUAL HONORS
Coach of the year — Lamont Paris, South Carolina.
u-Player of the year — Dalton Knecht, Tennessee.
Newcomer of the year — Dalton Knecht, Tennessee.
u-denotes unanimous pick.