Sears Named SEC Preseason Player of the Year, Nelson Tabbed All-SEC

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Alabama men's basketball guard Mark Sears was picked as the coaches choice for the Southeastern Conference Preseason Player of the Year, the league office announced Thursday. In addition, Grant Nelson was named Second Team All-SEC.

Alabama Notes

Alabama is the only team that has a player on the first team and second team
Alabama is ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press Top-25 poll, the highest preseason ranking in program history, breaking the No. 7 ranking set in the 1990-91 season

Mark Sears Notes

Mark Sears joins Erwin Dudley (2003) as the only players in program history to be named as the SEC Preseason Player of the Year
Sears was named to the Bob Cousy Award Watch List, which annually recognizes the top point guard in college basketball
Named to the Naismith Trophy Men's College Player of the Year
For the second straight season, Sears has earned Preseason All-SEC honors after being named Preseason Second Team All-SEC last year

Grant Nelson Notes

Grant Nelson has earned Preseason All-SEC honors for the second straight season, as he was a Preseason First Team All-SEC last season
Named to the Naismith Trophy Men's College Player of the Year
Nelson was named to the 2024 NCAA West Region All-Tournament team
Nelson averaged 11.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game last season

First Team All-SEC

Mark Sears – Alabama

Johni Broome – Auburn

Walter Clayton Jr. – Florida

Zakai Zeigler – Tennessee

Wade Taylor IV – Texas A&M

Second Team All-SEC

Grant Nelson – Alabama

Jonas Aidoo – Arkansas

Johnell Davis – Arkansas

Matthew Morrell – Ole Miss

Josh Hubbard – Mississippi State

Third Team All-SEC

Chad Baker-Mazara – Auburn

Jaxson Robinson – Kentucky

Collin Murray-Boyles – South Carolina

Tre Johnson – Texas

Tramon Mark – Texas

SEC Player of the Year

Mark Sears – Alabama

University of Alabama Athletics