AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn senior Janiah McKay and sophomore Unique Thompson were named to the Preseason All-SEC Team for women's basketball, the Southeastern Conference office announced Tuesday.
In a vote of the SEC's 14 coaches, the Auburn pair were named to the league's second team. It marks the first preseason All-SEC selection for both players.
McKay was Auburn's leading scorer in 2017-18, averaging 16.6 points per game. She also led the team in assists (4.5/game) and was second on the team in steals (2.3/game). McKay was also one of the conference's top free-throw shooters, hitting 130-of-157 attempts for an .828 percentage. She enters her senior season with 1,199 career points, which ranks 24th in program history.
Thompson was an SEC All-Freshman Team selection a year ago after averaging 11.5 points and a team-leading 8.4 rebounds, the top rebounding average among league freshmen. She also recorded seven double-doubles last season, tying Auburn great DeWanna Bonner for the most by a Tiger freshman.
The Tigers were picked to finish eighth in the SEC standings by the league's coaches. National runner-up Mississippi State was picked to defend its SEC title, followed by South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri, Texas A&M, Kentucky and Auburn in the top eight. LSU, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Vanderbilt and Ole Miss round out the voting. MSU's Teaira McCowan was named the preseason SEC Player of the Year. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own teams or players.
Season tickets, mini-plans and single-game tickets are all remain available for the 2018-19 season. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit AUBTix.com, call 855-282-2010, or visit the Auburn Ticket Office, located inside the scholarship entrance at Auburn Arena.
Auburn's first game is set for 5:30 p.m. CT Tuesday, Nov. 6, at home against Grambling State. The Tigers will play at least 14 home games in 2018-19 with the potential for more if the Tigers progress through the Preseason Women's NIT.
For the latest on Auburn women's basketball, follow @AuburnWBB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
2018-19 Preseason SEC Coaches' Poll
1. Mississippi State
2. South Carolina
3. Georgia
4. Tennessee
5. Missouri
6. Texas A&M
7. Kentucky
8. Auburn
9. LSU
10. Alabama
11. Arkansas
12. Florida
13. Vanderbilt
14. Ole Miss
Player of the Year
Teaira McCowan, Mississippi State
First Team All-SEC
Caliya Robinson, Georgia
Maci Morris, Kentucky
Anriel Howard, Mississippi State
Teaira McCowan, Mississippi State
Sophia Cunningham, Missouri
Tyasha Harris, South Carolina
Rennia Davis, Tennessee
Chennedy Carter, Texas A&M
Second Team All-SEC
Malica Monk, Arkansas
Janiah McKay, Auburn
Unique Thompson, Auburn
Taylor Murray, Kentucky
Ayana Mitchel, LSU
Shandricka Sessom, Ole Miss
Amber Smith, Missouri
Alexis Jennings, South Carolina
Evina Westbrook, Tennessee
