Kansas University freshman guard Ben McLemore was named to the 10-player John R. Wooden Award All-America Team announced Monday by the Los Angeles Athletic Club.
The 6-foot-5 freshman from St. Louis also was tapped second-team All-America by the Associated Press. KU senior center Jeff Withey was accorded third-team mention by the AP.
This marks the fourth-straight season and seventh time in the 10-year Bill Self era that a Jayhawk has been selected to the Wooden All-America team. McLemore marks the 13th Kansas player named to the team, which started in 1977.
One of 10 players will be named Wooden Award winner this weekend at the Final Four. Joining McLemore as All-Americans and finalists: Trey Burke, Michigan; Victor Oladipo and Cody Zeller, Indiana; Doug McDermott, Creighton; Shane Larkin, Miami; Kelly Olynyk, Gonzaga; Mason Plumlee, Duke; Otto Porter Jr., Georgetown; Deshaun Thomas, Ohio State.
McLemore was joined on the AP’s second team by Plumlee, Zeller, Larkin and Oklahoma State freshman Marcus Smart.
Withey was joined on the third team by Thomas, Virginia Tech’s Erick Green, South Dakota State’s Nate Wolters and Louisville’s Russ Smith.
The first team consisted of McDermott, Burke, Porter, Oladipo and Olynyk.
Selden shines: KU signee Wayne Selden, a 6-5 senior shooting guard from Tilton (N.H.) School, who is ranked No. 26 nationally by Rivals.com, dazzled at Monday’s McDonald’s All-America Game practice in Chicago.
“Selden looks like he hit the genetic lottery,” wrote Eric Bossi of Rivals.com. “The Kansas-bound wing is tough and athletic and he plays with power on the wing. Selden was under control while playing a man’s game and thriving in pick and roll. He says the KU coaches want him to be a defensive stopper and slasher. There’s no doubt he’ll be getting bumped to five-star and move up the rankings (likely in top 15).”
Wiggins dazzles: Andrew Wiggins, the country’s No. 1-ranked high school senior, on Monday, “displayed his jaw-dropping athleticism and a much improved jump shot. He was mobbed by national media after (McDonald’s) practice,” writes Michael O’Brien of Chicago’s Sun Times.
The 6-7 forward from Huntington (W.Va.) Prep has a final list of KU, Kentucky, Florida State and North Carolina. He told the Louisville Courier-Journal he has pondered joining forces with Kentucky’s six other McDonald’s All-Americans.
Asked whether Plano, Texas, forward Julius Randle’s recent commitment made Kentucky more or less appealing, Wiggins told the C-J. “It’s always good to add another player to the roster. Julius is a good player, unselfish. I wouldn’t mind playing with him.”
No. 6-ranked Aaron Gordon, 6-8 from Archbishop Mitty in San Jose, Calif., will announce for either Arizona, Kentucky, Washington or Oregon at today’s McDonald’s Media Day. The McDonald’s game is set for 8:30 p.m., Wednesday at United Center and will be aired on ESPN.