Amid all the hubbub of the Final Four, the AP has announced their All-America team, which includes three seniors for the first time since 2006. Jimmer Fredette led the field, receiving all but one of the 65 votes that netted him the 2-spot on the team. Despite BYU’s tough loss to Florida in the Sweet Sixteen, and the horrible shooting night for Jimmer, he had a great season and is probably the frontrunner for National Player of the Year.
Duke’s point guard Nolan Smith finished second in the voting. He had a stellar senior season in Durham, posting averages of 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, while sustaining an impressive outside shot and keeping the Dukies at the top of the heap for much of the season. You can be sure he’ll spend more of his graduation than he’d like thinking about MoMo Jones and the Arizona Wildcats.
Freshman big man from Ohio State Jared Sullinger was next, just a day after announcing he’ll stay at OSU for at least another year. Sullinger’s freshman campaign rivaled other Buckeyes Greg Oden and Kosta Koufos, who both left Columbus after one season for the NBA. Brandon Knight and Kentucky ended his season this past weekend. He should be a top pick candidate in the 2012 draft.
Kemba Walker is the only player on the team who is still actually playing, as UConn beat Arizona to set up a Final Four matchup with Kentucky. Kemba figures to test the draft waters after averaging 24 points per game his junior campaign, filled with huge shots and heart-stopping plays. There should be more of that this coming weekend.
JaJuan Johnson is a bit of a surprise on the team as the second big man. While he posted terrific numbers on a great Purdue team, he didn’t dominate the glass or the paint as much as guys like Oakland’s Keith Benson, Morehead State’s Kenneth Faried, or San Diego State’s Kawhi Leonard. Playing in a bigger conference certainly helped his cause, though people continue to spell his name incorrectly. It’s not "JuJuan." He’s a late first round option in the draft this season.