By CHARLIE PARENT
Mark Sears, the star Alabama guard and SEC Player of the Week, was left off the Bob Cousy Award list on Monday, which instantly sparked controversy across the college basketball world.
The 6-foot-1 former three-star recruit is averaging 20 points, 3.9 assists and 3.9 rebounds on 52% shooting this season. He was named SEC Player of the Week for the second time this season last week after averaging 21.5 points, 6.5 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals in wins over No. 8 Auburn and LSU.
“He opened the week with 22 points, eight assists and five rebounds in the upset win over Auburn,” the SEC wrote in his player of the week announcement. “He added 21 points and five assists against LSU on Saturday. Sears recorded his 10th and 11th 20-point games of the season. He ranks 27th in the country in points per game and No. 2 in the SEC.”
After the announcement fans immediately took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to support Sears. One post advocating for the young guard was followed by another pitting him against Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht and Antonio Reeves for the overall SEC Player of the Year Award. The post did not include Texas A&Ms Wade Taylor IV or Tennessee’s Zakai Ziegler, who both made the Cousy list.Alabama guard Mark Sears, the SEC Player of the Week, was left off the Cousy list.
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) January 29, 2024
Sears averaged 21.5 points, 6.5 assists, four rebounds, and two steals last week in wins over No. 8 Auburn and LSU. https://t.co/YtCMcQDCQO
Alabama (14-6) and Sears travel to Athens on Wednesday for a matchup with Georgia. The Tide have won four of their last five and look to continue the momentum as conference play heats up. Follow Charlie on Twitter Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram And Like ZAGS on FacebookWho is SEC Player of the Year?
— CBB Content (@CBBcontent) January 29, 2024
Dalton Knecht, Tennessee:
• 19.5 PPG on the season
• 28.0 PPG in SEC play
• 4 30+ point games
Antonio Reeves, Kentucky:
• 19.5 PPG on the season
• 18.8 PPG in SEC play
• 1 30+ point game
Mark Sears, Alabama:
• 20.0 PPG on the season
•… pic.twitter.com/Fmjf08Tccd
