(Photo: AP)

Congratulations to junior point guard Sundiata Gaines. I like the selection of Derrick Byars as player of the year; no one meant more to a successful team.

The Jamaica, N.Y., native led Georgia in rebounding (5.7/game), assists (4.7/game), minutes (30.3/game) and steals (2.1/game). Gaines has led the SEC in the latter category throughout the entire season.

There are four Georgia natives on the all-SEC teams, second only to Tennessee’s five. Hopefully more of the Georgians earning all-SEC honors in the future will do it in Athens.

Georgia opens play in the SEC Tournament tonight as the East’s #5 seed against Auburn, the #4 seed from the West. The game will tip off at 7:30 and will be televised by your local Lincoln Financial affiliate.