0
0
All-America Team Headliners
For the second consecutive year, Purdue’s Zach Edey emerged as the clear standout of The Associated Press men’s college basketball All-America team. Standing tall at seven-foot-four and weighing 300 pounds, this Canadian senior received all 62 votes from AP Top 25 poll voters, solidifying his status as the undeniable leader in this prestigious lineup. Edey, who was also honored as the AP national player of the year in the previous season with all 58 votes, maintained his dominance.
Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht and North Carolina’s RJ Davis accompanied Edey as part of the elite top trio. Knecht, with 298 points, secured first-team recognition on 56 ballots, while Davis, earning 296 points, received the nod from 55 voters. Both players showcased their exceptional skills by featuring in the top 10 roster on all completed ballots. The first team was completed by Houston’s Jamal Shead and Tristen Newton from the reigning NCAA champion Connecticut, rounding out the impressive selection.
Major Accomplishments
Originating from Toronto, Edey currently leads the nation in scoring with an average of 24.4 points per game, firmly establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with in college basketball. Furthermore, he ranks third in rebounding, averaging 11.7 rebounds per game. The coveted title of AP’s Big Ten player of the year was bestowed upon Edey for the second consecutive season, illustrating his remarkable consistency at the highest level of competition. His exceptional performances pave the way for a potential historic achievement, aiming to become the first player since Virginia’s Ralph Sampson in the early 1980s to clinch back-to-back AP national player of the year honors.
A significant milestone in Edey’s career was his record-breaking achievement as Purdue’s all-time leading scorer during the team’s encounter with Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament. Despite these individual accolades, Edey remains humble and consistently attributes his success to the collective efforts of his teammates. Braden Smith, Edey’s teammate, highlighted his selfless nature by emphasizing Edey’s inclination to credit his accomplishments to the team’s collaborative spirit, a commendable trait that further solidifies his stature as a standout player.
Image/Photo credit: source url
