Morris, Howard Named All-SEC Performers by Associated Press
LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky freshman guard Rhyne Howard has been tabbed the Associated Press Southeastern Conference Newcomer of the Year while the organization also named Howard and senior guard Maci Morris All-SEC Second-Team performers on Tuesday.
Howard becomes the second player in program history to win newcomer of the year by the AP joining Bria Goss. This is the first All-SEC honor for Morris from the AP. Earlier Tuesday both players were named All-SEC performers by league coaches as Howard was tabbed freshman of the year, All-SEC First Team and SEC All-Freshman Team, while Morris was SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year and All-SEC First Team.
Howard has had one of the best rookie seasons in program history, leading the team with 16.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game while sitting tied for the team lead with 68 3s made. The rookie ranks second on the team with 65 steals and 70 assists while her 21 blocks ranks third. Howard won eight SEC Freshman of the Week honors this season, which broke the league record for most honors in a year.
The native of Cleveland, Tenn., is currently fourth among freshman nationally and first in the league in points per game while she is the only freshman in the nation with 460+ points, 60+ 3s made, 60+ steals and 70+ assists. Howard ranks top-five in program history for freshman in points, points per game, rebounds, rebounds per game, field-goals made, 3s, 3PFG percent, steals, double-figure scoring games and double-figure rebounding games.
Morris has been fantastic for the Wildcats this season averaging 15.1 points per game with 68 3s and a team-best 44.7 percent from long range. The guard has scored in double figures in 24 games, including eight games of 20 or more. Morris’ best game came at Tennessee where she played 31 minutes before fouling out and scored 27 points with four 3s, three rebounds and three steals.
The native of Bell County, Ky., has left her mark on the UK program as one of the best to ever play for the Wildcats. Morris ranks sixth all-time in scoring with 1,647 points while her 245 career 3s made ranks second. The guard has connected on 40.9 percent of her 3-point attempts during her career, which ranks first in program history. In all, Morris has hit at least one 3 in 105 of 126 career games.
For more information on the Kentucky women’s basketball team, visit UKathletics.com or follow @KentuckyWBB on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat, or Kentucky Women’s Basketball on Facebook.
FIRST TEAM
Chennedy Carter, Texas A&M, G, 5-foot-7, Soph., Manfield, Texas
Sophie Cunningham, Missouri, G, 6-1, Sr., Columbia, Missouri
Anriel Howard, Mississippi State, F, 5-11, Sr., Atlanta (Texas A&M transfer)
Teaira McCowan, Mississippi State, C, 6-7, Sr., Brenham, Texas
Caliya Robinson, Georgia, F, 6-3, Sr., Marietta, Georgia
SECOND TEAM
Rennia Davis, Tennessee, G/F, 6-2, Soph., Jacksonville, Florida
Chelsea Dungee, Arkansas, G, 5-11, Soph., Sapulpa, Oklahoma (Oklahoma transfer)
Tyasha Harris, South Carolina, G, 5-10, Jr., Noblesville, Indiana
Rhyne Howard, Kentucky, F, 6-2, Fr., Cleveland, Tennessee
Maci Morris, Kentucky, G, 6 feet, Sr., Pineville, Kentucky
Player of the year – Teaira McCowan, Mississippi State
Coach of the year – Vic Schaefer, Mississippi State
Newcomer of the year – Rhyne Howard, Kentucky
