As we near the new year, all college basketball fans are bracing themselves for conference play. On top of the rivalries, resume builders, and everything else with conference play, the player of the year race is always fun. From freshmen who don’t even start to the preseason award winner, the SEC Player of the Year race is one of the best in college basketball, and it’s wide open.
*Players are not in order
Top 10 SEC Player of the Year Candidates
Sean East II
One of just two players in the SEC to be in the top five in both points per game and field goal percentage, Sean East II has made a huge leap. After being a key bench piece last year, he’s started every game this year and leads the Tigers in points and assists. He’s already made more threes this year than he had all of last year. His volume has increased in every aspect, yet he is second in the SEC in field goal percentage. That efficiency as a six-foot-three, 175 lb guard is rare. Missouri has a few problems, but East is not one of them.
Reed Sheppard
Reed Sheppard was a four-star prospect in an elite recruiting class. He leads college basketball in true shooting amongst guys who average at least 10 points per game. Not only has Sheppard been otherworldly on offense, but he’s doing it on both sides of the ball. In addition to leading the SEC in steals, he’s on pace to break Kentucky’s single-season steals record while ranking sixth in the SEC in assists per game. Sheppard is doing all this while only having one start this year. He’s as effective as they come.
Johni Broome
The Auburn Tigers have been an absolute force this year, and that wouldn’t have happened without Johni Broome. Broome’s counting stats are similar to last year when he notched a Second-Team All-SEC nod. The difference this year is Auburn is winning. Broome leads the Tigers in points, rebounds, and blocks. He ranks second in the NCAA in career blocks, and his athleticism and power are a bad matchup for almost any big in the country. He’s one of the best two-way players in the conference, and voters need to appreciate him more this season.
Wade Taylor IV
I feel pretty confident in calling the preseason pick for the SEC Player of the Year the current front-runner. Wade Taylor IV currently is fourth in the SEC in scoring, second in assists, and sixth in steals. His 34-point masterclass against Houston might be the best showing by any player this year, regardless of the close loss. He is third in the SEC in assists rate and third in the percentage of shots taken by a player for their team. He is Texas A&M’s offense right now, and he’s running it with mastery.
Mark Sears
The SEC leading scorer will always be in the SEC Player of the Year race regardless of context. Now, throw in the context that he’s fourth in the SEC in field goal percentage and leading one of the best offenses in the country. That’s what Mark Sears is doing. Of players who have been used in at least 20% of possessions, he leads the SEC in offensive rating on Kenpom. He’s also fifth in the SEC in fouls drawn per 40 minutes and ninth in free throw rate. He’s also hitting threes at a great rate, has an excellent true shooting percentage, can get to the line, and gives defenses challenges on all three levels.
Antonio Reeves
The reigning Sixth Man of The Year in the SEC, Antonio Reeves, currently ranks second in the SEC in points per game. He currently ranks seventh in effective field goal percentage on Kenpom and sixth in the SEC in three-point percentage. Reeves has been about as efficient as they come this year while being second in shot percentage on one of the best offenses in the country. He’s been more disciplined on defense, more efficient, and has improved as a playmaker. He’s had all-around improvement from a great year so far.
Dalton Knecht
As of December 21st, Dalton Knecht was seventh in points per game against Quad 1 opponents. Knecht has shown up in the biggest games as good as anyone else in the SEC this year. He was in a slump, but he still isn’t completely healthy from an injury suffered in a 37-point outing against North Carolina. His ability to score at will is undeniable when he’s fully healthy. He’s currently 12th in the SEC in shot percentage. There is a direct correlation between how much Knecht shoots against good teams and how well Tennessee’s offense is against said teams. Not many guys are more valuable to their offenses right now than Knecht.
Henry Coleman III
By every metric, Henry Coleman III is among the elite SEC rebounders. He ranks third in rebounds per game, fourth in defensive rebounding percentage, and fifth in offensive rebounding percentage. He also clocks in at 18th in effective field goal percentage; he’s controlling the paint. His assist rate has jumped this year, while his turnover percentage has dropped drastically. He’s no longer a black hole on offense; he’s getting rebounds and making smart decisions. He ranks 70th in the SEC in shot percentage, but if A&M gave him more shots, I think he could push First Team All-SEC this year.
Tyrese Samuel
Tyrese Samuel has been an absolute monster this year. The Seton Hall transfer currently ranks first in the SEC in effective field goal percentage. He also ranks second in rebounds per game. He ranks in the top 25 in the SEC in both block and steal percentages, and he has been the best defender in the SEC this year. His IQ and athleticism have been a perfect combination. His high motor has him dominating the glass, and he’s not only altering shots, but he’s ending possessions. If he can just get to 60% free throw shooting, which he did last year, he’ll be a serious offensive problem.
Grant Nelson
Among SEC players who have been used in at least 24% of possessions, Grant Nelson ranks fourth in offensive efficiency. There’s been a lot of negativity surrounding his efficiency, and he comes in at 34th in the SEC in effective field goal percentage. It isn’t as high as some guys mentioned, but when you think of his role on a great offense, that’s not bad shooting. He has talent and scores on all three levels. His decision-making is in his head right now, but he’s a talented scorer who’s also a good rim protector.
