2004-05 Rivals.com All-America Team

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2004-05 Rivals.com All-America Team Chris Wallace

Rivals.com Editor

It's been a great college basketball season thus far, and things should only get better with the NCAA tournament set to get started this week.

Chris Paul had an outstanding sophomore season.Associated PressWake Forest point guard Chris Paul had an outstanding sophomore season.In addition to several great teams that will be vying for a national title, numerous great players also will be featured in the national spotlight in the coming weeks.

So just who are the best players in the country? Those certainly are tough choices to make, but our editorial team sat down to pick the best and after much debate selected the 2004-05 Rivals.com All-America Team.

The squad consists of a first, second and third team, as well as honorable-mention selections. Of the 15 players to be named to the first, second or third team, 14 will display their abilities in the NCAA tournament.

The ACC headed up the first three teams with six selections, while the Big 12, SEC and Pac-10 each had two players chosen. The Big Ten, Big East and Moutain West rounded out the top-15 selections with one player each.

The following are the 2004-05 Rivals.com All-America teams. On Wednesday, Rivals.com will release its choice for National Player of the Year.

Rivals.com All-America First Team

Sean May, 6-9, junior, forward, North Carolina

A force in the lane with arguably the best hands in the college game, May averages 16 points and 11 rebounds for the ultra-talented Tar Heels, while shooting 54 percent from the field.

Wayne Simien, 6-9, senior, forward, Kansas

Offensively gifted big man has carried the Jayhawks this season. Simien averages 20.2 points and 11.1 rebounds per game and shoots 55 percent from the floor and 82 percent from the line.

Hakim Warrick, 6-8, senior, forward, Syracuse

A human highlight reel, Warrick averages 21.4 points and 8.5 boards, while connecting on 55 percent of his shots. He's the reason many view the Orange as a Final Four contender.

Chris Paul, 6-0, sophomore, guard, Wake Forest

The most dominant point guard in the nation, Paul leads a powerful Demon Deacons offense and averages 14.9 points, 6.6 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 2.4 stels per game.

J.J. Redick, 6-4, junior, guard, Duke

A deadly shooter with unlimited range, Redick is a nightmare for opposing teams. He's averaging 22.8 points and 3.3 rebounds and has knocked down 115 3-pointers.

Rivals.com All-America Second Team

Andrew Bogut, 7-0, sophomore, center, Utah

A native of Australia, Bogut has become one of the premier players in the country, and he's coveted by NBA personnel. He's averaging 20.7 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.

Shelden Williams, 6-9, junior, forward, Duke

Nicknamed "The Landlord" because he owns the lane, Williams is a force on defense and solid on offense. He averages 15.6 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.8 blocks for the Devils.

Dee Brown, 6-0, junior, guard, Illinois

Brown is dynamite in transition and a deadly 3-point shooter for the 32-1 Fighting Illini. He averages 13.4 points, 4.5 assists and 2.6 rebounds and has a knack for making the big play.

Raymond Felton, 6-1, junior, guard, North Carolina

If the Tar Heels were a race car, Felton would be their engine. He runs Roy Williams' team to perfection and averages 12.7 points, 6.9 assists, four rebounds and 2.2 steals per game.

John Lucas, 5-11, senior, guard, Oklahoma State

Lucas is the catalyst for a Cowboys team that is looking to reach the Final Four for the second straight year. He averages 18.1 points and 4.3 assists and delivers in the clutch.

<A href="http://www.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=398566#3Team">Rivals.com All-America Third Team

Brandon Bass, 6-8, sophomore, forward, LSU

The SEC player of the year, Bass is having a monster season for the Tigers, a team many think is an NCAA tourney sleeper. He's averaging 17.1 points, nine rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.

Ike Diogu, 6-8, junior, forward, Arizona State

Diogu racks up big numbers every night despite being the focus of opposing defenses. He's averaging 22.4 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks for the NIT-bound Sun Devils.

Kennedy Winston, 6-6, junior, forward, Alabama

A smooth offensive performer, Winston is the best player on a talented Crimson Tide team. He averages 17.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists and delivers in the big games.

Jarrett Jack, 6-3, junior, guard, Georgia Tech

Arguably the strongest point guard in the country and a great defender, Jack averages 15.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game for the Jackets.

Salim Stoudamire, 6-1, senior, guard, Arizona

If Redick's not the best shooter in the country, then Stoudamire is. He's knocked down 107 3-pointers and shoots an amazing 53 percent from deep. He also averages 18.4 points per game.

Honorable Mention: Taylor Coppenrath (Vermont); Nick Fazekas (Nevada); Ryan Gomes (Providence); Francisco Garcia (Louisville); Joey Graham (Oklahoma State); Luther Head (Illinois); Adam Morrison (Gonzaga); Anthony Roberson (Florida); Lawrence Roberts (Mississippi State); Nate Robinson (Washington); Dijon Thompson (UCLA); Ronny Turiaf (Gonzaga); Bracey Wright (Indiana). Photos from the Associated Press.

Hopefully, Terrance Dials can find a place on this list next year.