By JOSH NEWMAN
Just a few years ago, the notion of a freshman being named to the Associated Press All-America Team seemed silly. Now, the honor is becoming commonplace.
Highly-touted Duke freshman Jahlil Okafor became the third freshman since 2010 to be named to the five-member AP Preseason All-America Team, which was released on Monday afternoon. Okafor, a 6-foot-11 forward projected as the No. 1 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft according to DraftExpress, joins North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes in 2010 and Andrew Wiggins of Kansas in 2013 as the other two recent freshman sensations to be named AP Preseason All-America.
“I just have to realize that it’s just the preseason expectations and to try to live up to those expectations during the season,” Okafor told the Associated Press.
The rest of the AP Preseason All-American Team includes Tar Heels junior guard Marcus Paige, Louisville junior forward Montrezl Harrell, Wisconsin senior forward Frank Kaminsky, and Wichita State junior guard Fred VanVleet, who helped the Shockers to the best start in NCAA history last season at 35-0 before losing to Kentucky in the third round of the NCAA Tournament.
Paige was the highest vote-getter after being named on 58 of the 65 ballots. Harrell received the second-most votes at 56.
“Obviously, my teammates know I need to be more aggressive and assertive this year, and it kind of starts with me,” Paige told the Associated Press. “So I’m really worried about what I need to do team wise and I feel the individual stuff that comes with it will take care of itself if I do that.”
After an up-and-down season in which UNC finish 24-10 with a third-round NCAA Tournament loss to Iowa State, Paige will spearhead a team that will start at No. 6 in the AP Top 25. The Tar Heels open Nov. 14 against NC Central in Chapel Hill.
Photo: Duke University
