Florida forward Kerry Blackshear was named the Preseason SEC Player of the Year by the media, the conference announced on Tuesday.
.@GatorsMBK‘s Kerry Blackshear (@kjblack15) is tabbed the #SECMBB Preseason Player of the Year. pic.twitter.com/vMNqulXgbL
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) October 15, 2019
Gators sophomore point guard Andrew Nembhard was named Second Team All-SEC while Florida was picked to finish second in the conference.
Blackshear transferred to Florida after a standout career at Virginia Tech. As a junior, Blackshear averaged 14.9 points and 7.4 rebounds for the Hokies.
Nembhard started all 36 games as a true freshman last season. The Montverde Academy alum averaged 8 points and 5.4 assists in 208-19.
Kentucky was projected to finish first for the ninth consecutive season.
Florida finished the season 20-16 and opened the NCAA Tournament with a 70-61 victory over Nevada before dropping the round of 32 game against Michigan.
The Gators open the 2019-20 campaign with a home date against North Florida on November 5.