University of Missouri

Two Missouri Tigers men’s basketball players make all-SEC team, led by Dru Smith

Mizzou guard Dru Smith (12) goes up for a layup against the Florida Gators at Exactech Arena in Gainesville on Wednesday, March 3, 2021. Smith later won the game for the Tigers with a driving basket in the 72-70 victory.
Mizzou guard Dru Smith (12) goes up for a layup against the Florida Gators at Exactech Arena in Gainesville on Wednesday, March 3, 2021. Smith later won the game for the Tigers with a driving basket in the 72-70 victory. Mizzou Athletics

Guard Dru Smith is a first team All-SEC selection.

The league announced its men’s basketball honors as voted by the 14 coaches on Tuesday ahead of the men’s tournament in Nashville, Tennessee, which begins Wednesday. Smith was chosen as one of the eight players on the first team.

Additionally, Smith was picked to the league’s all-defensive team.

Smith becomes Mizzou’s first All-SEC first-team selection since Kassius Robertson in 2018 and the Tigers’ fourth since joining the league. Smith led the SEC in steals for a second straight season at 2.1 in league play.

He averages 14.1 points, 3.4 boards, 3.9 assists and 2.0 steals, one of just seven players nationally hitting all those marks this season.

Smith was a second team All-SEC selection by The Associated Press, which placed five players on its first and second teams.

Jeremiah Tilmon Jr. was chosen to both second teams. He is averaging 12.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.

Associated Press All-SEC team

First team

Herb Jones, Alabama, 6-8, 210, Sr., Greensboro, Alabama; Moses Moody, Arkansas, 6-6, 205, Fr., Little Rock, Arkansas; Scotty Pippen Jr., Vanderbilt, 6-3, 170, So., Los Angeles; Cameron Thomas, LSU, 6-4, 210, Fr., Chesapeake, Va.; Trendon Watford, LSU, 6-9, 240, So., Birmingham, Alabama.

Second team

Tre Mann, Florida, 6-5, 190, So., Gainesville, Florida; Sahvir Wheeler, Georgia, So., 5-10, 180, Houston; John Petty, Alabama, 6-5, 184, Sr., Huntsville, Alabama; Jeremiah Tilmon, Missouri, 6-10, 260, Sr., East St. Louis, Illinois; Dru Smith, Missouri, 6-3, 203, Sr., Evansville, Indiana.

Player of the year: Herbert Jones, Alabama

Coach of the year: Nate Oats, Alabama

Newcomer of the year: Moses Moody, Arkansas

Coaches’ All-SEC men’s basketball team

First Team

Herbert Jones, Alabama; John Petty Jr., Alabama; Moses Moody, Arkansas; Tre Mann, Florida; Cameron Thomas, LSU; Devontae Shuler, Ole Miss; Dru Smith, Missouri; Scotty Pippen Jr., Vanderbilt

Second Team

Jaden Shackelford, Alabama; Colin Castleton, Florida; Sahvir Wheeler, Georgia; Javonte Smart, LSU; Trendon Watford, LSU; D.J. Stewart Jr., Mississippi State; Jeremiah Tilmon, Missouri; AJ Lawson, South Carolina

All-Freshman team

Joshua Primo, Alabama; Moses Moody, Arkansas; Sharife Cooper, Auburn; KD Johnson, Georgia; Isaiah Jackson, Kentucky; Cameron Thomas, LSU; Keon Johnson, Tennessee; Jaden Springer, Tennessee

All-Defensive team

Herbert Jones, Alabama; Isaiah Jackson, Kentucky; Abdul Ado, Mississippi State; Dru Smith, Missouri; Yves Pons, Tennessee

Coach of the Year: Nate Oats, Alabama

Player of the Year: Herbert Jones, Alabama

Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Dylan Disu, Vanderbilt

Freshman of the Year: Moses Moody, Arkansas

Sixth Man of the Year: JD Notae, Arkansas

Defensive Player of the Year: Herbert Jones, Alabama

This story was originally published March 9, 2021 at 9:59 AM.

Blair Kerkhoff
The Kansas City Star
Blair Kerkhoff has covered sports for The Kansas City Star since 1989. He was elected to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.
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