BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Mizzou Men’s Basketball freshman forward Kevin Puryear (Blue Springs, Mo.) was named to the 2016 Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team, announced Tuesday by the league office. Puryear put together a standout debut season for the Tigers, compiling 355 points (11.5 average) to rank sixth on Mizzou’s all-time freshman scoring chart.
Puryear posted double-figure point totals in 21-of-31 games, starting all of Mizzou’s contests during his initial collegiate campaign. The Blue Springs South product averaged 11.2 points per game in SEC action, posting two of his three 20-point games in league play.
“It’s a complete honor, especially considering the other freshmen around the conference,” Puryear said. “I’m most happy to bring this recognition to Mizzou, my school. It certainly means a lot to me individually, but nothing would be possible without my teammates. We’re excited for next season and the preparation begins immediately.”
Puryear scored 22 points at Alabama (Feb. 6), shooting a season-high 9-of-17 from the field and grabbing six rebounds. He followed that with a season-high 23 points at Arkansas (Feb. 20), hitting a season-best 10-of-11 free throw attempts.
The season-opening win over Wofford (Nov. 13) was a sign of things to come for Puryear, as he scored 20 points in his collegiate debut. He made 8-of-14 from the field (1-of-3 3PT, 3-of-4 FT).
Puryear recorded the first double-double of his career during conference play, scoring 14 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in the 76-61 win over Auburn (Jan. 9).
“We’re really proud of Kevin, because his focus and work ethic have been great examples for his teammates to follow,” head coach Kim Anderson said. “Knowing Kevin, he will not see this as an award as much as he sees it as further motivation to continue improving. He’s ready for next season to start now.”
A significant part of Puryear’s game was especially exemplary, as he finished the season ranked third in free throw percentage in league games, hitting on 87.1 percent (61-of-70). The top freshman foul shooter in the conference, Puryear converted 83.6 percent (102-of-122) of his overall free throw attempts to rank fifth in the SEC.
Voted on by the league’s coaches since 2000, Puryear is Mizzou’s first-ever SEC All-Freshman Team selection and is the program’s first conference postseason honoree since the 2013-14 season.
— MU Athletics —