Marcus Smart headlines preseason AP All-America team

Seven months after Marcus Smart made the shocking decision to return to college for another season, the Oklahoma State sophomore was a not-so-shocking unanimous selection to the Associated Press’ preseason All-America team.

Smart made an appearance on all 65 ballots cast by the AP, making him the first unanimous preseason selection since Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger pulled off the feat before the 2011-12 season. The reigning Big 12 player and freshman of the year, Smart averaged 15.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 3.0 steals for the Cowboys last season.

Nearly joining Smart as a unanimous selection was Creighton’s Doug McDermott, who appeared on 63 of 65 ballots. He was also a preseason All-American last season, in addition to being a first team postseason honoree in both 2012 and 2013. McDermott averaged 23.2 points and 7.7 rebounds last season and was named Missouri Valley Conference player of the year.

Another senior, Louisville’s Russ Smith, was the third leading vote-getter with 52. He averaged 18.7 points and 2.9 assists as a junior in 2012-13, and helped guide the Cardinals to their third national championship.

Kansas freshman Andrew Wiggins and Michigan sophomore big man Mitch McGary made up the rest of the team. Wigginis is just the second freshman to earn the preseason honor, joining former North Carolina standout Harrison Barnes.

The players honored by the Associated Press on Monday are the same five that SB Nation’s college hoops experts chose for their preseason first team last month.

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