AUBURN, Ala. – For the second time this week, Auburn senior forward Unique Thompson was named to a preseason All-SEC team, this time by the league's media, it was announced Friday.
A panel of SEC and national media members voted on five players for a preseason All-SEC team; a tie in voting resulted in a six-member team. Thompson is joined on the team by Rhyne Howard (Kentucky), Rickea Jackson (Mississippi State), Rennia Davis (Tennessee), N'dea Jones (Texas A&M) and Aliyah Boston (South Carolina). Howard was named preseason Player of the Year.
Thompson, a 6-3 forward from Theodore, Ala., was an honorable mention All-American and First Team All-SEC selection in 2020. She led the Tigers with 16.2 points and 11.4 rebounds per game last season, ranking sixth in the SEC in scoring and second in rebounds. Her rebounding total also ranked 10th nationally, and her field goal percentage of 58.2 percent was 15th-best nationally and third in the SEC. She has averaged a double-double for two straight seasons, the first player in Auburn history to accomplish that feat. She registered 22 double-doubles in 29 games last season, one shy of claiming the national statistical championship in that category.
For her career, she has 42 double-doubles, which puts her alone in first place in Auburn history and 15 away from entering the SEC all-time top 10. She also enters the 2020-21 season with 888 career rebounds, which ranks eighth in Auburn history, and 1,170 points, just outside the Auburn career top 30.
Thompson was selected to the coaches' preseason All-SEC First Team earlier this week, and she was one of 20 players nationwide named to the Katrina McClain Award watch list last week.
Auburn opens the 2020-21 season Wednesday, Nov. 25, at home against USC Upstate. Game time is set for 6 p.m. CT at Auburn Arena with the broadcast on SEC Network +.
2020-21 Preseason All-SEC Team (Media)
Rhyne Howard, Kentucky (Player of the Year)
Unique Thompson, Auburn
Rickea Jackson, Mississippi State
Aliyah Boston, South Carolina
Rennia Davis, Tennessee
N'dea Jones, Texas A&M