The future is surely bright for Arkansas basketball.
Razorbacks guard Samara Spencer was named SEC Newcomer of the Year by the USA TODAY Sports Network on Tuesday. The freshman from Fort Lauderdale started 24 of her 28 games this year and averaged 12.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and doled out a team-high 89 assists in helping Arkansas to a 17-12 regular-season record.
Spencer was one of seven freshman on the Razorbacks roster. Her points total was third on the team, behind only sixth-year senior Amber Ramirez and junior Makayla Daniels. Spencer scored in double figures in nine of her last 11 games and twice named SEC Freshman of the Week.
Arkansas finished its regular season on Sunday with a win over Mississippi State. That clinched the No. 8-seed for the SEC Tournament, which begins Wednesday. The Razorbacks play No. 9 Missouri on Thursday at 12 p.m. from Nashville. Arkansas won both meetings against the Tigers this year.
Florida’s Kelly Rae Finley was named Coach of the Year. South Carolina forward Aliyah Boston was Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. Kentucky guard Rhyne Howard joined Boston as a unanimous first-team All-SEC selection.
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