KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Air Pons has lived up to his name this season, and his habit of blocking shots has earned him the title of the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
The honor, awarded to the Junior forward Yves Pons by the coaches, was announced Tuesday. He was also named to the five-man All-Defensive Team.
Pons led the SEC in blocks all year and finished the regular season with 73 blocks in 31 games (2.4 bpg). His 73 blocks ties UT's single-season record, initially set by C.J. Black in 1997-98. Pons needs just one more block during postseason play to stand alone as Tennessee's single-season leader.
UT said the Fuveau, France native effectively guards all five positions, and he supplemented his league-leading blocks total with 13 steals and seven drawn charges.
Pons also averaged a career-best 9.9 points in league play and scored in double figures in nine SEC games.
He is the third Vol ever selected to the SEC All-Defensive Team, joining JaJuan Smith (2008) and Josh Richardson (2014, 2015).
The Incredible Fulk also earned SEC honors.
Vols' center John Fulkerson was named to the All-SEC second team for his high-energy consistency.
The Kingsport native started every game this season and led the team during SEC play in scoring (15.1 ppg), rebounding (6.1 rpg) and field-goal percentage (.578). He also drew 112 total fouls in SEC play—or 6.2 per game.
