Kaminsky, Okafor top All-America
Frank Kaminsky and Jahlil Okafor are as different as stories can be in college basketball. The two, however, have a lot in common – both are in the Final Four and both were the top selections on The Associated Press’ 2014-15 All-America team.
Kaminsky, the 7-foot senior from Wisconsin, was a unanimous choice Monday. Okafor, the 6-11 freshman from Duke, received all but one first-team vote.
Notre Dame senior Jerian Grant, Kentucky junior Willie Cauley-Stein and Ohio State freshman D’Angelo Russell rounded out the first team.
Frank Kaminsky: Projected as an early pick in the NBA draft, he led the Badgers to their second straight Final Four berth, averaging 18.2 points and 8.0 rebounds while shooting 55.3 percent from the field, including 39.5 percent from 3-point range.
Jahlil Okafor: He is Duke’s 16th first-team All-American and is the Blue Devils’ second freshman in as many years, with Jabari Parker being chosen last season.
Okafor, who received 64 first-team votes, averaged 17.7 points and 9.0 rebounds while shooting 66.9 percent, second in the nation.
Jerian Grant: At Notre Dame, Grant’s career was in jeopardy last season when he was suspended for the second semester for what he called an academic mistake. The son of former NBA player Harvey Grant returned for his senior season and averaged 16.8 points and 6.6 assists while playing 36.6 minutes per game.
Willie Cauley-Stein: He and his teammates are chasing history with an undefeated season just two wins away. The 7-footer is the first first-team All-American to average less than 10 points per game. He averaged 9.3 points while grabbing 6.4 rebounds and shooting 58.8 percent. He anchors Kentucky’s stifling defense.
He is the 18th All-American from Kentucky and first since Anthony Davis in 2012.
D’Angelo Russell: He is another freshman who isn’t expected to be back for a second season. He averaged 19.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists and received 51 first-team votes. Russell is 15th All-American from Ohio State and the first since Jared Sullinger repeated in 2012.