Sword, Ware Named To The SEC All-Freshman Team
Both players have appeared in all 30 games for the Bulldogs, with Sword starting 28 and Ware 25. Along the way, the talented due have earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors, including this week for Sword for the second time this year.
"These guys are very deserving of this recognition," MSU coach Rick Ray said. "They've worked hard and have put themselves in a position to get better each day. A lot has been asked of them, but they have responded in a positive way, and I couldn't be more proud of what they have accomplished."
Sword currently leads the Bulldogs with a 10.3 scoring clip, while his 11.6 points in league play ranks second among all conference freshmen. He also has 48 steals, which rank fourth all-time in the MSU freshman record books.
"I feel honored to make the All-Freshman team," the 6-foot-3 guard from Montgomery, Ala., said. "This was one of my goals when I came here. But a lot of credit has to go to my coaches and teammates."
In his last outing against Auburn, Sword drained two free throws to break a 71-all tie with 34 seconds left in overtime as the Bulldogs held on for a 74-71 victory to close out the regular season.
Ware, a 6-9, 270-pound forward from Starkville, is averaging 8.6 points and a team-high 6.4 rebounds. His rebounding total is 12th in the SEC and third among all freshmen. Earlier in the season against Central Arkansas, he posted his first-career double-double with 22 points and 13 boards, both career-highs.
He also had a double-double against Alabama A&M.
"I'm really excited about this honor," he said. "As a freshman, this is something you do work to achieve. It's been a lot of hard work, but my coaches and teammates have helped me along the way."
SEC POSTSEASON HONORS
First Team All-SEC
Trevor Releford, Alabama - G, 6-1, 195, Jr., Kansas City, Mo.
Erik Murphy, Florida - F/C, 6-10, 238, Sr., South Kingstown, R.I.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Georgia - G, 6-5, 205, So., Greenville, Ga.
Nerlens Noel, Kentucky - F, 6-10, 228, Fr., Everett, Mass.
Johnny O'Bryant III, LSU - F, 6-9, 256, So., Cleveland, Miss.
Phil Pressey, Missouri - G, 5-11, 175, Jr., Dallas, Texas
Jordan McRae, Tennessee - G, 6-5, 178, Jr., Midway, Ga.
Elston Turner, Texas A&M - G, 6-5, 209, Sr., Sacramento, Calif.
Second Team All-SEC
Marshawn Powell, Arkansas - F, 6-7, 240, Jr., Newport News, Va.
BJ Young, Arkansas - G, 6-3, 180, So, St. Louis, Mo.
Kenny Boynton, Florida - G, 6-2, 190, Sr., Pompano Beach, Fla.
Mike Rosario, Florida - G, 6-3, 183, Sr., Jersey City, N.J.
Patric Young, Florida - C, 6-9, 249, Jr., Jacksonville, Fla.
Marshall Henderson, Ole Miss - G, 6-2, 175, Jr., Hurst, Texas
Murphy Holloway, Ole Miss - F, 6-7, 240, Sr., Irmo, S.C.
Laurence Bowers, Missouri - F, 6-8, 227, Sr., Memphis, Tenn.
Jarnell Stokes, Tennessee - F, 6-8, 270, So., Memphis, Tenn.
SEC All-Freshman Team
Michael Frazier II, Florida - G, 6-4, 200, Fr., Tampa, Fla.
Charles Mann, Georgia - G, 6-4, 205, Fr., Alpharetta, Ga.
Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky - F, 7-0, 244, Fr., Olathe, Kan.
Archie Goodwin, Kentucky - G, 6-4.5, 198, Fr., Little Rock, Ark.
Nerlens Noel, Kentucky - F, 6-10, 228, Fr., Everett, Mass.
Alex Poythress, Kentucky - F, 6-7, 239, Fr., Clarksville, Tenn.
Craig Sword, Mississippi State - G, 6-3, 189, Fr., Montgomery, Ala.
Gavin Ware, Mississippi State - F, 6-9, 270, Fr., Starkville, Miss.
Michael Carrera, South Carolina - F, 6-5, 212, Fr., Anzoátegui, Venezuela
SEC All-Defensive Team
Trevor Releford, Alabama - G, 6-1, 185, Jr., Kansas City, Mo.
Scottie Wilbekin, Florida - G, 6-2, 176, Jr., Gainesville, Fla.
Patric Young, Florida - C, 6-9, 249, Jr., Jacksonville, Fla.
Nerlens Noel, Kentucky - F, 6-10, 228, Fr., Everett, Mass.
Anthony Hickey, LSU - G, 5-11, 178, So., Hopkinsville, Ky.
Reginald Buckner, Ole Miss - F, 6-9, 235, Sr., Memphis, Tenn.
SEC Coach of the Year: Billy Donovan, Florida
SEC Player of the Year: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Georgia
SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Patric Young, Florida
SEC Freshman of the Year: Nerlens Noel, Kentucky
SEC Sixth-Man of the Year: Kyle Wiltjer, Kentucky
SEC Defensive Player of the Year: Nerlens Noel, Kentucky