Poythress Named Academic All-America

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky senior men’s basketball player Alex Poythress has been named to the College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-America Second Team. He is the first Wildcat to take home the honor since Mark Pope in 1995. 

Poythress is the 12th different Kentucky player to earn Academic All-America honors in program history, joining legends such as Louie Dampier, Larry Conley, Dan Issel, Mike Pratt and Kyle Macy. 

The Clarksville, Tenn., native graduated in just three years with a degree in business marketing. He earned a 3.517 undergraduate grade-point average and is now pursuing a master’s of science in kinesiology and health promotion with an emphasis on sport leadership. He finished his first semester of grad school with a 4.0 GPA.

He has appeared on the SEC Academic Honor Roll during every year of college. He is also a three-time Arthur Ashe, Jr., Sports Scholar and has been named to the Athletic Director’s honor roll three times, which honors the student-athlete with the highest GPA of his team.  He was named a semifinalist for the Ashe award again in 2016, which honors students of color who exemplify the standards set by tennis great Arthur Ashe, Jr.

Poythress is averaging 9.9 points and a team-high 6.4 rebounds per game for the 22-8 Wildcats during his final season at Kentucky. Earlier this season, he became just the 15th player in program history to amass more than 800 points, 500 rebounds and 70 blocks in his career.  

He has appeared in more than 100 career games and made 56 starts. Poythress’ career averages included 8.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.