Mark Sears Named to All-SEC First Team
Alabama Crimson Tide guard Mark Sears was named to the All-SEC First Team, selected by the league’s 14 head coaches, on Monday.
The senior had a big responsibility entering the 2023-24 season. Sears was the only starter returning from last season's Crimson Tide basketball team that won a double SEC championship. Sears took on the responsibility of integrating eight new scholarship players and has led the Crimson Tide to a strong season.
Sears leads not only the Tide in scoring, but his 21.1 points per game is also the most in the entire SEC. Sears has helped lead Alabama to a 21-10 regular season record and a No. 19 rank in the AP Poll and the No. 3 seed in the SEC Tournament.
Alabama earned its 21st victory on Saturday after a thrilling comeback over Arkansas by a score of 92-88 in overtime. Sears tallied a team-high 22 points and his six assists only trailed fellow guard Aaron Estrada for the Tide's most.
Nevertheless, this isn't Sears' first nomination for an annual award as on March 4, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced he is one of five finalists for the 2024 Bob Cousy Award, given to the nation's best collegiate point guard. Additionally, Sears was named one of 15 finalists for the Wooden Award on Saturday. The honor is given to the best college basketball player in the country.
2023-24 SEC Men’s Basketball Awards
Coach of the Year: Lamont Paris, South Carolina
Player of the Year: Dalton Knecht, Tennessee
Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Sean East II, Missouri
Freshman of the Year: Reed Sheppard, Kentucky
Sixth-Man of the Year: Rob Dillingham, Kentucky
Defensive Player of the Year: Zakai Zeigler, Tennessee
All-SEC Teams
First Team
Mark Sears, Alabama
Johni Broome, Auburn
Zyon Pullin, Florida
Antonio Reeves, Kentucky
Tolu Smith III, Mississippi State
Dalton Knecht, Tennessee
Zakai Zeigler, Tennessee
Wade Taylor IV, Texas A&M
Second Team
Jaylin Williams, Auburn
Walter Clayton Jr., Florida
Rob Dillingham, Kentucky
Reed Sheppard, Kentucky
Matthew Murrell, Ole Miss
Josh Hubbard, Mississippi State
Ta’Lon Cooper, South Carolina
Meechie Johnson, South Carolina
Jonas Aidoo, Tennessee
All-Defensive Team
Johni Broome, Auburn
Cameron Matthews, Mississippi State
Jonas Aidoo, Tennessee
Zakai Zeigler, Tennessee
Andersson Garcia, Texas A&M
All-Freshman Team
Aden Holloway, Auburn
Alex Condon, Florida
Silas Demary Jr., Georgia
Rob Dillingham, Kentucky
Reed Sheppard, Kentucky
D.J. Wagner, Kentucky
Josh Hubbard, Mississippi State
Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina
