KU's Collins and Aldrich Named Associated Press Preseason All-America
Nov. 2, 2009
Kansas senior Sherron Collins and junior Cole Aldrich were named to The Associated Press’ preseason All-America team announced Monday. They are the sixth set of teammates selected for the preseason team, which began in 1986-87, and the second from Kansas, joining Raef LaFrentz and Paul Pierce in 1997-98.
The Kansas duo was joined on the preseason team by Luke Harangody of Notre Dame, Patrick Patterson of Kentucky and Kyle Singler of Duke. Harangody received 57 votes from the 65-member national media panel and was followed in the balloting by Kansas teammates Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins.
Aldrich, a 6-11 junior who recorded a triple-double in the NCAA tournament, received 49 votes, 10 more than Collins, a senior point guard. Patterson had 35 votes and Singler 30 votes.
Aldrich’s stock rose all last season and it culminated with the first official triple-double in Kansas history when he had 13 points, 20 rebounds and 10 blocks in a second-round NCAA win over Dayton.
He averaged 14.9 points and 11.1 rebounds, joining national player of the year Blake Griffin of Oklahoma as the only players in the Big 12 to average a double-double last season.
Collins didn’t become a full-time starter until last season when he averaged 18.9 points and 5.0 assists in earning third-team All-American honors. He and Aldrich are the stars of a deep Kansas team picked No. 1 in the preseason Top 25.
“I do think we return the best guard in the country and the best big man in the country,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “I think if you’re going to start a team, why not have an anchor and why not have a guard?”
Aldrich and Cole are the first teammates chosen to the preseason team since J.J. Redick and Shelden Williams of Duke in 2005-06.
Harangody averaged 23.3 points and 11.8 rebounds last season, the only player to rank in the top 10 nationally in both categories.
Patterson averaged 17.9 points and 9.3 rebounds for the Wildcats last season and he’s expected to be more of an inside presence this season with the addition of freshman point guard John Wall to new coach John Calipari’s offense.
Singler averaged 16.5 points and 7.7 rebounds last season for the Blue Devils but his role should change to more of a perimeter one this season.
2009-10 Associated Press’ Preseason All-America Team
– Luke Harangody, Notre Dame (6-8, senior, 23.3 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 57 votes)
– Cole Aldrich, Kansas (6-11, junior, 14.9 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 49 votes)
– Sherron Collins, Kansas (5-11, senior, 18.9 ppg, 5.0 apg, 39 votes)
– Patrick Patterson, Kentucky (6-9, junior, 17.9 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 35 votes)
– Kyle Singler, Duke (6-8, junior, 16.5 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 30 votes)
Note: Stats are from 2008-09 season
