Ware Named AP All-SEC Honorable Mention
March 14, 2016 | Men's Basketball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Capping off his impressive final season as a Mississippi State Bulldog, senior forward Gavin Ware was named to the Associated Press All-Southeastern Conference Honorable Mention team on Monday.
The Starkville native led the Bulldogs with a 15.4 scoring clip and a 7.8 rebounding average, both of which are career highs. Ware turned in nine double-doubles this year, rounding out his career at 21 total. He also dropped 20-plus points in eight contests during the 2015-16 campaign.
“It's tough to know that my career at Mississippi State is over, but I'm thankful to end it on a high note with this honor,” Ware said. “I could not have accomplished anything without the help of my coaches and teammates throughout my four years here. I know the foundation we set this year will lead to a lot of success in the future.”
Ware kicked off the season with a bang, as he scored double digits in the first 16 contests. That streak is the longest since Tony Watts scored double digits in all 28 games in 1992-93. Within that stretch, Ware's 25 points against Missouri State on Nov. 22 made him the 35th member of MSU's 1,000 Point Club, while his 5 rebounds at LSU made him the seventh player in school history with 1,000 points and 800 rebounds for their career.
The big man's last season in the Maroon and White saw him soar up the MSU record books, finishing fifth in rebounds (888), eighth in blocks (100) and 17th in scoring (1,362).
Ware finished the year with an ESPN Player Efficiency Rating of 28.22, which is Top 25 in the nation and the second best in the SEC behind LSU's Ben Simmonds, who was named AP SEC Freshman of the Year. Ware and his teammate and All-SEC Freshman selection Quinndary Weatherspoon were named a finalist for the C Spire Howell Trophy this year, which is awarded to the best male collegiate basketball player in the state of Mississippi.
For more information and updates on Mississippi State men's basketball, fans can follow the Bulldogs on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at HailStateMBK.
2015-16 Associated Press All-SEC Honors
First Team All-SEC
u-Tyler Ulis, Kentucky, G, 5-9, So.
u-Ben Simmons, LSU, F, 6-10, Fr.
Stefan Moody, Mississippi, G, 5-10, Sr.
Jamal Murray, Kentucky, G, 6-4, Fr.
Jalen Jones, Texas A&M, G-F, 6-7, Sr.
Second Team All-SEC
Retin Obasohan, Alabama, G, 6-2, Sr.
Michael Carrera, South Carolina, F, 6-5, Sr.
Damian Jones, Vanderbilt, C, 7-0, Sr.
Kevin Punter, Tennessee, G, 6-2, Sr.
Moses Kingsley, Arkansas, F, 6-10, Jr.
Third Team All-SEC
Yante Maten, Georgia, F, 6-8, So.
J.J. Frazier, Georgia, G, 5-10, Jr.
Dorian Finney-Smith, Florida, F, 6-8, Sr.
Danuel House, Texas A&M, G, 6-7, Sr.
Alex Caruso, Texas A&M, G, 6-5, Sr.
SEC Honorable Mention
Wade Baldwin IV, Vanderbilt, G, 6-3, So.
Armani Moore, Tennessee, F, 6-4, Sr.
Gavin Ware, Mississippi State, F, 6-9, Sr.
SEC Player of the Year - Tyler Ulis, Kentucky
SEC Coach of the Year - Billy Kennedy, Texas A&M
SEC Freshman of the Year - Ben Simmons, LSU
