The Associated Press All American team was announced today and to no surprise it includes a trio of Naismith Award candidates and an expected College Freshman of the year. The All American first team is led by BYU star senior Jimmer Fredette and Connecticut junior Kemba Walker. Rounding out the fabulous five of 2011 is Ohio State freshman sensation Jared Sullinger, Duke’s Nolan Smith, and Jajuan Johnson of Purdue.
Walker and Fredette figure to finish as the top two in voting followed by Smith for the Naismith Award annually given to the College Player of the Year. Sullinger who has delared that he will return for his sophomore year becomes the most recent freshman to make the team, but bucks the trend of past freshmen in today’s one and done college game.
Purdue senior Jajuan Johnson joins Fredette as the only players to make both the preseason and regular season teams. Johnson becomes Purdue’s first All American since Glenn “Big Dog” Robinson in 1994. Although he failed to lead his team to a repeat of last year’s title, Nolan Smith was able to follow up his coming out year with an ACC tournament championship and a Sweet 16 appearance. Smith is just the latest in a long line of Blue Devils to notch an All American recognition.