Mark Sears Named to All-SEC First Team

Alabama Crimson Tide guard Mark Sears continues to add honors to his stellar season.

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

Where Alabama Basketball Ranks in the AP Poll Ahead of SEC Tournament