For the second consecutive year, Purdue's Zach Edey has been named the unanimous headliner for The Associated Press men's college basketball All-America team. The 7-foot-4, 300-pound senior received all 62 first-place votes from AP Top 25 poll voters, solidifying his dominance in the sport.
Edey, the reigning AP national player of the year, led the way with 310 points, showcasing his exceptional talent on the court. Joining him in the top trio were Tennessee's Dalton Knecht and North Carolina's RJ Davis, who garnered 298 and 296 points, respectively.
Completing the first team were Houston's Jamal Shead and Tristen Newton of reigning NCAA champion Connecticut, highlighting the diverse talent recognized by the AP.
Edey's remarkable season includes leading the country in scoring with 24.4 points per game and ranking third in rebounding with 11.7 boards per game. His exceptional performance earned him the AP's Big Ten player of the year award for the second consecutive year.
Knecht, a standout player from Tennessee, was named the AP's Southeastern Conference player of the year after averaging 21.1 points and contributing to the Volunteers' success in clinching their first SEC regular-season crown since 2008.
Davis, a guard from North Carolina, was recognized as the AP player of the year for the Atlantic Coast Conference, boasting an average of 21.4 points per game and becoming UNC's first first-team AP All-American since 2017.
Shead, the floor leader for Houston, was honored as the AP player of the year in the Big 12, guiding his team to victory in the Big 12 regular-season standings. Newton, a graduate from UConn, showcased his improved game, aiding his team's pursuit of becoming the first repeat champion since 2007.
The second team featured Marquette's Tyler Kolek, Alabama's Mark Sears, and a formidable front line with players like Dayton's DaRon Holmes II, Duke's Kyle Filipowski, and Kansas' Hunter Dickinson.
The third team included players like San Diego State's Jaedon LeDee, Auburn's Johni Broome, Pac-12 player of the year Caleb Love of Arizona, Creighton's Baylor Scheierman, and Illinois' Terrence Shannon Jr., who ranked as the nation's third-leading scorer.
Players like Kentucky's Antonio Reeves and Kansas' Kevin McCullar Jr. received honorable mentions, showcasing the depth of talent in college basketball this season.
With the AP All-America team announced, fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming March Madness tournament, where these exceptional players will showcase their skills on the national stage.
For more information on the AP March Madness bracket and coverage, visit here.
