ERWIN DUDLEY
SENIOR
FORWARD/CENTER
6-8 * 260
UNIONTOWN, ALABAMA

A preseason All-American candidate, Dudley was last season's SEC Player of the Year (Coaches/AP). He was also a John R. Wooden Award Finalist and garnered third team AP All-American and first team USBWA All-District honors. The senior leader led the conference in rebounding for the second consecutive season. As a junior, he averaged 15.2 points and 8.9 rebounds per game and led the league with 15 double-doubles. Dudley has started every game in his three-year career at Alabama, covering 100 games. He has totaled 1,346 career points going into his senior season. Dudley also ranks ninth all-time at Alabama in rebounding (908) and 17th all-time in scoring.

KENNY WALKER
SENIOR
FORWARD/CENTER
6-9 * 220
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA

One of three seniors of this year squad, Walker started 33 of 35 games last season. He averaged 9.2 points and 5.5 rebounds a game last season. Walker led the Southeastern Conference in free throw shooting last season in SEC games at 86 percent. He was also second in free throw percentage in all games, shooting 80.3 from the charity stripe. He averaged 13.3 points in the SEC tournament and made 8-of-11 from the field to score 21 against South Carolina in the SEC Tournament semifinals. Walker scored career high 24 points versus Purdue in the third round of Alabama's 2001 run at the NIT Championship.

ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS

CARL BAKER
SENIOR
FORWARD
6-8 * 206
PALESTINE, ARKANSAS

One of Arkansas' team captains for the 2003 season, Carl Baker also served on Arkansas' head coach search committee last spring. A three-year letterman, Baker's scoring and rebounding averages have been higher against SEC competition than his overall averages in those categories in each of the last two years. Over the last five games of the 2002 season, he was the team's fourth-leading scorer (7.6 ppg) and top rebounder (4.8 rpg). He averaged 3.8 points and 2.8 rebounds last year and has career averages of 4.5 points and 3.7 rebounds. A good outside shooter, his career three-point percentage of (.415) is higher than his overall field goal percentage (.388).

DIONISIO GOMEZ
SENIOR
FORWARD
6-8 * 218
PANAMA CITY, PANAMA

One of Arkansas' team captains for the 2003 season, Dionisio Gomez has already graduated from Arkansas, earning his bachelor's last May. He is working on a second degree in computer information systems. The team's top returning scorer and rebounder, he averaged 5.1 points and a team-best 5.0 rebounds in 2002. He also lead the team with a .526 shooting percentage, was third in blocked shots, fourth in steals (1.1) and sixth in assists (1.3). He was in double figures scoring four times and in double-digits rebounding three times with highs of 18 points and 12 rebounds, both in the win at Tulsa.

AUBURN TIGERS

DERRICK BIRD
SENIOR
GUARD
6-4 * 195
YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN

Was named to the 2002 CollegeInsider.com All-America Defensive Team. Averaged 10.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.1 apg and 1.1 spg while starting 27 of 28 games. Shot 39 percent from the field, 31 percent from 3-point range and 69 percent from the foul line. Held the opposition's top scorer each game to only 6.5 ppg (9.6 off their ppg average coming in) and only 23 percent shooting from the field. Scored in double-figures 13 times. Scored a season-high 26 points (7-13 treys) vs. Louisiana Tech; 24 points (8-12 fgs, 5-9 treys), 4 steals vs. Florida International; 22 points (7-10 fgs, 3-4 3s) vs. Ole Miss; 20 points and 7 rebounds vs. Southern Miss; 19 points at Arkansas.

MARQUIS DANIELS
SENIOR
GUARD
6-6 * 200
ORLANDO, FLORIDA

Had a well-rounded season averaging a team-leading 11.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.9 steals while shooting 44 percent from the field. Ranked fifth in the SEC for assists and sixth in steals. Daniels was just shy of recording the first triple-double in Auburn history with nine points, nine assists and eight rebounds at Ole Miss. Scored a season-high 23 points against Florida in the SEC Tournament. Earned SEC Player of the Week honors Dec. 10-16 for his 19-point, 7-assist, 5-rebound, 5-steal performance in being named the Coors Classic MVP vs. Marshall. He didn't miss a shot by going 7-of-7 from the field and 4-of-4 from the foul line vs. Marshall.

FLORIDA GATORS

MATT BONNER
SENIOR
FORWARD
6-10 * 240
CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE

The returning starter at the power forward spot, Bonner is the top returning scorer and rebounder, averaging 15.6 ppg and 7.2 rpg a year ago. Bonner was named the National Academic All-American of the Year in 2002. The first Gator basketball player to achieve that honor and only the fourth Gator student-athlete to achieve the honor. A two-time Academic All-SEC selection, he was one of the most improved players in the nation as a junior. Sports Illustrated named him one of New Hampshire's Top 50 Athletes of the Century at #12. Ranks 32nd on UF's all-time scoring chart with 1,069 career points.

BRETT NELSON
SENIOR
GUARD
6-4 * 205
ST. ALBANS, WEST VIRGINIA

A starter in the backcourt who is one of the premier shooters in the country. Nelson enters his senior season, averaging 14.6 ppg a year ago. A two-time winner of Florida's Most Improved Player Award. Nelson's 228 career three pointers and 540 attempts ranks second in school history. Nelson holds the UF record for consecutive games with a three-pointer (33), the sixth longest in SEC history. His 228 career three pointers is tops among active players in the SEC. Nelson has led UF in scoring 23 times and 46 times led UF in assists. Has 64 double figure scoring games and 15 20-point games in his three-year career. Nelson is a career .442 shooter from three-point range in the NCAA Tournament.

GEORGIA BULLDOGS

JARVIS HAYES
JUNIOR
GUARD/FORWARD
6-7 * 220
ATLANTA, GEORGIA

Holds one of basketball's rarest distinctions, winning individual scoring titles in two different conferences. He won Southern Conference scoring honors as a freshman in 1999 at Western Carolina before repeating in the SEC last season. Named SEC Player of the Year by Basketball America, The Sporting News and CNNSI. Honorable Mention All-America pick by Associated Press. First-team All-SEC selection by both AP and the league's 12 coaches, the eighth player in UGA history to win consensus all-league honors. Season-high 31 points vs. Murray State in the NCAA Tournament included a 9-for-12 shooting effort in the second half. Missed three early-season games because of a knee sprain suffered in a Nov. 24 practice.

EZRA WILLIAMS
SENIOR
GUARD
6-4 * 235
MARIETTA, GEORGIA

One of the SEC's top shooting guards. A 2nd-team All-SEC selection by AP, third team by the league's 12 coaches. Played on despite the personal tragedy that dominated his off-court life the last five weeks of the season. Was devastated by the Feb. 9 shooting death of his older brother Antwonne. Two days after his brother's funeral, he had one of his best outings of the season, posting 20 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks in the home win over Kentucky. Had a monstrous game in the SEC Tournament loss to LSU, with a season-high 27 points. Was named Southeastern Conference Player of Week twice last season, in late November and in mid-January.

KENTUCKY WILDCATS

KEITH BOGANS
SENIOR
GUARD
6-5 * 213
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA

Finished second on the team in scoring (11.5 ppg) last year after leading the squad in 2001 with 17.0 ppg. In the 2002 NCAA tourney, averaged 18.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg and 2.7 apg, shot 50.0% from the field, 47.1% from three-point range and 72.2% from the line. Is tied for 22nd on the UK scoring list with 1,359 points. Had started 55 consecutive games before missing the start at Florida (1/29). Came off the bench to lead the Cats to victory, scoring a game-high 20 points, including a key three-pointer with 2:03 remaining to put the Cats up by four. Against Notre Dame, shot 8-for-12 from the field, including 5-of-8 from three-point range to finish with a season-high 23 points.

CHUCK HAYES
SOPHOMORE
FORWARD
6-6 * 247
MODESTO, CALIFORNIA

A very versatile yet powerful athlete who can play either small or power forward. Probably the Cats' most physical player. Projected to earn the starter's role at power forward when UK begins its season in Maui. As a freshman, played in all 31 games with nine starts, including the final eight games. As a starter, averaged 8.6 ppg and 6.2 rpg. Overall, averaged 5.9 ppg and 4.5 rpg and finished as the team leader in free-throw shooting, hitting 73.8%. Was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team. Totaled 10 points and a career-high 13 rebounds vs. South Carolina in the SEC Tournament, his first career double-double. Scored a career-best 15 points in an overtime loss at Tennessee. Was a Parade All-American and the California Player of the Year (D-I) after leading Modesto Christian to a runner-up finish to Mater Dei in the 2001 state finals.

LSU TIGERS

TORRIS BRIGHT
SENIOR
GUARD
6-4 * 204
SLIDELL, LOUISIANA

Has been the starting point guard at LSU for three seasons, leading LSU to the NCAA Tournament in 2000 and the NIT in 2002. Has started at point guard in 96--of-97 career games and is already in the top 10 in career minutes played, more than 1,000 career points, tied for second in 3-pointers made and is in the school's top 10 in career assists and steals. Last season, Bright tied for second on the team in scoring with his best average of 13.4 points per game. He also averaged 3.8 assists,3.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. One of just two players to start and play all 34 games during the season, averaging 34.1 minutes per game. Averaged a team-best 21.5 points in the two NIT games, putting together games of 18 points at Iowa and a career-high 25 against Ball State. Finished the year ranked 16th in the SEC in scoring, ninth in assists and 10th in the league in steals. His 39.4 percent for the season from beyond the arch was seventh in the league as was his per-game average of 2.24. For the third straight year, finished the season with more assists (129)than turnovers (123).

RONALD DUPREE
SENIOR
FORWARD
6-7 * 209
BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI

Led the team with 16.2 points per game and 8.5 rebounds a game. Was seventh in the league in scoring and second in the league in rebounds for the second straight year. Started all 34 games, one of two players to start all the games. Has started 62 of the last 63 games. Enters the season with 658 career rebounds, 19th best in school history. Stands at 1,222 points, 22nd best at LSU and one of just 18 players to have scored over 1,000 points and grabbed 500 rebounds. Averaged 17.2 points per game in conference play. Third-best in the league in double-doubles (9). Career high of 30 points at Arkansas on Feb. 16, a game featuring a 26-point first half.

OLE MISS REBELS

DERRICK ALLEN
SENIOR
FORWARD
6-8 . 238
GADSDEN, ALABAMA

Returns as the starter in the post. Played in 31 games, starting 29 last season, averaging 8.9 points and 5.9 boards. Shot 53.1 percent from the floor and 70.5 percent from the charity stripe as a junior. Transferred to Ole Miss from Southern Union State (Ala.) Community College. Finished the season ranked among the SEC rebounding leaders (16th) in 2001-02. Posted three double-doubles, recording two of them by halftime (Arkansas, Kansas State). Scored 19 points vs. Georgia and hit a career-high eight field goals against the Bulldogs. Had a career high 16 boards vs. Arkansas and posted career highs of 22 points, 10 free throws and five assists versus Tennessee. Named the 1999-2000 Alabama Junior Community College Conference (AJCCC) Player of the Year.

DAVID SANDERS
SENIOR
GUARD
6-3 * 185
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI

One of the top returning defenders in the Southeastern Conference. Sanders needs 371 points to reach 1,000. If he reaches 1,000 points, Sanders will be the first Rebel since Gerald Glass (1988-90) to do so while playing three or fewer seasons. Has started 56 of 66 games in his Rebel career at off-guard. Shooting 53.1 percent from the field in two seasons, hitting 41.7 percent from the three-point arc, including 50.7 percent in 2001-02. The Rebels' returning leader in assists with 83. He netted a career-high 26 points against South Carolina in last year's SEC Tournament and posted the first double-double of his career versus Florida with 15 points and 11 boards.

MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS

MARIO AUSTIN
JUNIOR
FORWARD
6-9 * 260
YORK, ALABAMA

Named to the 2001-02 USBWA All-District IV Team and was a second-team All-SEC selection. Needs 189 points to become the 25th player in school history to score 1,000 or more career points. Paced the Bulldogs in both scoring (16.1 ppg) and rebounding (7.6 rpg), while ranking eighth and fifth, respectively, among the SEC's leaders. Also rated second in the league and 28th nationally in field-goal percentage (55.7%). Scored a career-high 32 points (25 after halftime) in pacing MSU to a come-from-behind, overtime home win over No. 6 Kentucky. Two-time SEC Player of the Week a year ago. Earned 2002 SEC Tournament MVP honors after leading the State to their second SEC Tournament Championship.

DERRICK ZIMMERMAN
SENIOR
GUARD
6-3 * 195
MONROE, LOUISIANA

Enters 2002-03 tied for sixth in MSU history with 342 career assists and fourth with 147 career steals. Led the SEC in assists (6.0 apg) and ranked third in steals (2.1 spg) last season. Also led the team with 29 blocks and 27 dunks a year ago, while shooting an improved 53 percent from the field. Registered his first collegiate double-double with 11 assists and 11 rebounds at Tulane. Also handed out 11 assists in the season opener against Nicholls State. Dished out nine assists in a game three times last season. Was a 2002 third team All-SEC and SEC All-Tournament Team selection. He shared the team's most improved player award last year with Mario Austin.

SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS

CHUCK EIDSON
SENIOR
FORWARD
6-7 * 205
SUMMERVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA

Averaged 8.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game and returned to his old ways to lead Carolina in hustle stats (rebounds, assists, steals, blocked shots combined). Was second on the team with 129 assists and led the team and the SEC with 91 steals ­ 15 more than the second-place finisher. Also had 139 rebounds and 12 blocked shots to average 10.0 hustle stats per game. Played the second half of the season in more of a "point forward" role running the offense and responded with his best basketball. Has started his last 72 games and looks to see action again this season at small and point forward.

TONY KITCHINGS
SENIOR
CENTER
6-10 * 260
AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA

Played his best basketball during the postseason. Averaged just 4.3 points over his last 16 games before leading South Carolina with 14.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game in the SEC Tournament. He became just the second Gamecock to be named to the SEC All-Tournament team. Also played well in the NIT, averaging 11.0 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. Scored in double figures in seven of his last eight games after scoring only 10 or more points three times earlier in the year. Ranked 12th in the Southeastern Conference in rebounding with a team-leading 6.2 boards per contest.

TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS

JON HIGGINS
SENIOR
GUARD
6-3 * 200
SHAKER HEIGHTS, OHIO

A natural shooting guard, he carried the point guard duties for most of last season. He ranks fifth all-time for career three-point percentage (.394), sixth for three-pointers made (156) and seventh for three-point attempts (396) at UT. For the second time in his career he was named to the SEC Good Works Team in 2001-02. He received the Team Before Self Award as the best team player. Higgins' assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.10 ranked third in the conference. He ranked tied for sixth in the SEC for assists (3.94 apg) and rated 10th in three-point shooting (.360). One of just two Vols to start every game on the season. Set a school record by making .486 of his three-point attempts as a sophomore.

RON SLAY
SENIOR
FORWARD
6-8 * 240
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Missed Tennessee's final 15 games after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee (1/19/02). Scored 20 or more points five times and led the Vols in rebounding in six of the his last eight games. In his four games against SEC foes he averaged 19.0 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Slay tied his career high with 11 rebounds against Florida (1/9/02). Made his first start of the season at SMU (12/6/01), finishing with a game-high 23 points with eight rebounds and three assists in 30 minutes of action. A Third Team All-SEC selection by the league's coaches and the Associated Press as a sophomore. Considered by many to be the best sixth-man in the nation his first two seasons at UT.

VANDERBILT COMMODORES

MATT FREIJE
JUNIOR
FORWARD
6-9 * 230
SHAWNEE MISSION, KANSAS

Named Third-Team All-SEC by the league's coaches. Earned his first SEC Player of the Week award Jan. 21 after scoring a career-high 29 points against Auburn. Led team last season with 15.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Overall in the SEC, finished 12th in scoring (15.1) and seventh in free-throw percentage (.768). His 39 career blocks leaves him nine short of the school's top-10. Was the only Commodore to start every game this past season. He led the team in scoring a team-high 13 times and rebounding a team-high 14 times. Scored in double figures in each of Vanderbilt's first 20 games this past season, giving him the longest such streak of any SEC player.

RUSSELL LAKEY
JUNIOR
GUARD
6-0 * 182
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Started eight games a year ago after missing most of the season with a broken fifth metatarsal in his right foot. He re-injured the foot twice last season and was limited to playing in only 19 games, including the last 11. His 31 minutes at Louisiana Tech was a season high and his seven points was the second-highest total of the season. Saw first action against LSU after missing previous six games. Despite the layoff, made his only attempt against LSU, a three pointer, that sealed the victory. He also grabbed a season-high seven rebounds versus LSU. In limited action, he led the team in rebounding one time, assists six times, steals four times and blocked shots one time. As a freshman, Lakey finished fifth in the SEC with 1.80 steals per game and tenth in the SEC with 3.13 assists per game.