The Sporting News All-Freshman team was released today and Kentucky’s Nerlens Noel was one of the 5 players on the list.
Nerlens Noel, Kentucky
Noel is a deserving member of this team despite the gruesome knee injury that ended his outstanding freshman season on Feb. 12. In his 24 games, the 6-10 Noel averaged 4.4 blocks, 10.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game; his total of 106 blocks on the year is fifth in the country. Here’s more perspective on how much his shot-blocking ability impacted Kentucky—Noel had 60 blocks in 11 SEC contests before the injury; Ole Miss’ Marshall Henderson, the SEC’s leading scorer, made 64 field goals in his first 11 SEC contests.
This is truly a testament to how far ahead Nerlens Noel was ahead of his teammates before his knee injury.
Marcus Smart of Oklahoma State was named Freshman of the Year.
