Love Named AP 1st Team All-American, Collison 3rd Team

By KS Wong
Bruin Basketball Report

UCLA's Kevin Love has been selected a first-team All-American by the Associated Press while Darren Collison was a third-team selection.

The 6'9 Love led the Bruins to their third straight Final Four appearance, averaging a double-double in their tournament run after getting 17.1 points and 10.6 rebounds and shooting 55.7% in the regular season.

Love received 52 first-team votes and 318 points to become UCLA's second All-America in as many seasons as Arron Afflalo was chosen last year.

North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough and Kansas State's Michael Beasley were unanimous selections to The Associated Press' All-America team Monday. For the first time, no senior was chosen.

Michael Beasley and Kevin Love made it two straight years in which there were two freshmen chosen. Sophomore D.J. Augustin of Texas and junior Chris Douglas-Roberts of Memphis rounded out the selections, shutting out the seniors.

"This ranks up there with the best because it’s such a prestigious honor," Love said. "To be mentioned right up there in the same breath as Tyler Hansbrough, Mike Beasley and all the players that were on it. It really feels great."

Collison, the Bruins' second-leading scorer this season, is averaging 14.8 points on 49.1% shooting. The junior point-guard is also shooting 53% on three-pointers.

When asked if he felt whether his early season injuries hurt his chances from being a first-team All-American, Collison said "I’m in the Final Four and I’m happy - none of that other stuff even matters."

Earlier last week, junior forward Alfred Aboya was named to the Pac-10 All-Academic second-team. He carried a 3.06 GPA in Political Science at UCLA.

To be eligible for selection to the academic team, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.0 overall grade-point average and be either a starter or significant contributor.

Forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute received an honorable mention for the academic team.

(photo credit: J Rosenfeld)