March 8, 2011
SEC Release
The Commodores had three players named to the All-SEC team by the league’s coaches, and were led by sophomore guard John Jenkins, who was named as a first-team selection. Junior forward Jeffery Taylor was named to the second team and the All-Defensive team, and redshirt junior center Festus Ezeli was also honored on the second team.
“I’m really pleased for John, Jeff, and Festus,” said Vanderbilt head coach Kevin Stallings. “I feel like we’re well represented and those guys are very deserving of the awards they received.
“I know they would like to give credits to the rest of their teammates, as well, because those things aren’t done on an individual basis,” continued Stallings. “We’re really happy for all three of them, and again, I feel like all of them are very deserving.”
Jenkins, who leads the SEC in scoring (20.8 ppg) and threes made in all games (3.1 per game) and finished as the scoring champion in SEC games only with 20.8 points per game, became the 52nd Vanderbilt player to make the All-SEC First Team since voting began in the 1948 campaign. The Commodores have had a player on the first team in five out of the last six years, and seven in the last 10. Vanderbilt’s last first-team selection was Jermaine Beal in 2010.
“It’s an honor to be selected by the league’s coaches,” said Jenkins. “But, my teammates made this happen for me, and this award, like any other individual accomplishment, wouldn’t have happened without them.”
Taylor’s selection is his second to the All-SEC second team, and also his second on the All-SEC Defensive Team. Taylor also made both teams in 2010 and made the All-SEC freshman team in 2009. Taylor is averaging 14.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game this season.
“This is a great honor and something to be proud of,” said Taylor. “But, it wouldn’t have be done without my teammates’ help.”
Ezeli’s selection to the All-SEC second team is his first all-league selection. After playing a backup role to A.J. Ogilvy in his first three years in the program, Ezeli has made a name for himself in 2010-11, averaging 12.9 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.
“It’s a great individual accomplishment,” said Ezeli. “It proves to you that hard work can pay off.”
Vanderbilt travels to the 2011 SEC Tournament in Atlanta as the number three seed in the East this weekend. The Commodores take on the SEC West’s number six seed, LSU, Thursday night at 9 p.m. CT in the first round of the tournament.