SEC announces preseason men's basketball Player of the Year, all-conference team
The SEC released some more preseason men’s basketball news, sharing the conference preseason media poll and all-conference teams. Also, the league announced the preseason player of the year.
It is Wade Taylor IV from Texas A&M earning those honors, as the Aggies guard is expected to again star for his squad. He’s joined by six other players on the first team.
Check out more on Taylor as Player of the year and the preseason All-SEC first and second teams below.
Player of the Year: Guard Wade Taylor IV, Texas A&M
Few players mean more to their team than Taylor does to the Aggies. And his presences makes them a legitimate factor in the conference race.
Texas A&M won’t have the fire or star power of Kentucky or Tennessee, but they will be a tough out each time they take the floor with Taylor. Taylor averaged more than 16 points per game in 2022-23 and played nearly 30 minutes a night. As preseason Player of the Year, Taylor is also a member of the all-SEC first team.
All-SEC preseason first team
Forward Grant Nelson, Alabama
One of the more coveted transfers ahead of the 2023-24 season, Nelson landed with Nate Oats and Alabama. And the Crimson Tide are hoping for big things from Nelson this year.
In three seasons at North Dakota State, Nelson grew into a role as a consistent scorer. He averaged nearly 18 points per game in 2022-23 and should be a legit wing scoring threat for the Tide.
Forward Trevon Brazile, Arkansas
Brazile missed the majority of the 2022-23 season with an injury suffered early on. His return could be a boon for an Arkansas team that came on strong late last season.
Brazile was averaging nearly 12 points a game across the nine contests he appeared in in 2022-23. He’s also an adept rebounder and defender at the forward position.
Forward Johni Broome, Auburn
An up transfer to Auburn in 2022-23, Broome started to shine late in the season. His presence down low helped fuel the Tigers into the NCAA Tournament.
He averaged just over 14 points per game, hauled down more than eight rebounds a game and registered nearly a block a game. His impact on both ends of the floor should anchor a solid Auburn team.
Guard Justin Edwards, Kentucky
One of many tantalizing prospects for Kentucky, Edwards has a unique profile as a tall, long guard. The true freshman stands around 6 feet, 8 inches tall and could play a number of roles for the Wildcats.
He’s the only of Kentucky’s freshman to make the preseason All-SEC teams, but more than one of them might be on the real deal come the end of the year. Either way, the upside on Edwards, a Top 5 prospect in the 2023 signing class, is immense.
Forward Tolu Smith, Mississippi State
Much like Taylor for Texas A&M, Smith is a big driver of Mississippi State’s success. When he’s on the court, the Bulldogs can hang around.
The sixth-year senior is a steady scorer and rebounder, averaging nearly 16 and nine in 2022-23. He’s also gotten his fouls down to just around two a game.
Guard Santiago Vescovi, Tennessee
One half of a fearsome guard duo for Tennessee — picked first in the media preseason poll — Vescovi has become a staple for the Volunteers. The Uruguayan guard is a top-notch defender and willing shooter.
In four seasons at Tennessee, Vescovi is 38.1% from 3 and averages around 12 points a game. He’s a solid rebounder and distributor and is just generally a force for good for Tennessee on either end.
Wade Taylor IV, Texas A&M
Taylor, as the preseason Player of the year, was naturally included on the All-SEC first team.
All-SEC preseason second team
Guard Mark Sears, Alabama
Guard Davonte Davis, Arkansas
Guard Riley Kugel, Florida
Guard Antonio Reeves, Kentucky
Guard Zakai Zeigler, Tennessee
A few notable players, particularly some star freshman, might be jilted to be left off this list — but there’s plenty of basketball to prove their mettle and make it on the full-on All-SEC teams at the end of the year.