Mississippi State sweeps instate awards, three Bulldogs earn all-SEC status
Monday produced several honors for the Mississippi State men’s and women’s basketball squads, including a sweep of the top collegiate players in the Magnolia State.
The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame announced Monday that Mississippi State senior Jessika Carter captured the Gillom Trophy award while Mississippi State freshman Josh Hubbard was awarded the Howell Trophy award. Carter led Mississippi State with 10.1 rebounds this season while ranking second on the team with 14.7 points a game.
Hubbard currently leads State with 16.8 points a game and recently set single-season school records for made 3 pointers (98) in a season and the most points (521) scored by a Bulldog freshman. Hubbard also becomes the first freshman ever to win the Howell Trophy.
The SEC office also announced its annual all-SEC squads on Monday, which featured a trio of Bulldogs. Senior Tolu Smith was tabbed first-team all-SEC and Smith currently leads State in rebounding (8.2 a game) and second in scoring (16.3). Hubbard was also recognized by the SEC and earned second-team all-SEC honors along with being on the all-SEC freshman squad.
Senior Cameron Matthews was named to the all-SEC defensive squad, as well. Matthews is averaging 9.6 points and 7.1 rebounds a game while also leading the team in steals (64) and blocked shots (23).
Mississippi State continues its season Thursday at noon against LSU in the SEC Tournament in Nashville, Tenn. Meanwhile, the Mississippi State women’s team lost last week in the first round of the SEC Tournament and now await to see if they will advance to the NCAA Tournament.
2023-24 SEC Men’s Basketball Awards
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
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
