Alabama basketball’s Mark Sears was named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press on Tuesday. Sears became only the second Crimson Tide player to receive the honor, joining Brandon Miller.
The All-America nod was Sears’ second among the four teams used to determine consensus and unanimous designations. He had already made the Sporting News’ first-team list, with the United States. Basketball Writers’ Association and National Association of Basketball Coaches teams yet to be released.
Sears was a second-team AP All-American last season. This year’s first-team also includes Auburn’s Johni Broome and Duke’s Cooper Flagg, who were both unanimous selections, along with Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr. and Purdue’s Braden Smith.
Alabama fell to Florida in the semifinal round of the SEC Tournament on Saturday. The Crimson Tide earned a No. 2 seed to the NCAA Tournament, and will begin by facing Robert Morris Friday in Cleveland.
So far this season, Sears has averaged 18.7 points, 4.9 assists, and 3 rebounds per game. In addition to the All-America honors, he is a semifinalist for the Naismith Trophy men’s basketball player of the year, and a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award, which goes to the nation’s top point guard.
Sears shining moment of the season so far came in the regular-season finale against Auburn. After struggling offensively throughout the game on the Plains, he scored a buzzer-beater in overtime to dispatch the Tigers, who earned the overall No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Alabama’s matchup with with Robert Morris is scheduled to tip off at 11:40 a.m. CT in Cleveland. It will be aired on TruTV.
