Colin Castleton earns All-SEC Honors, but disagrees with first-team snub

Florida’s Colin Castleton has earned second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors from the league’s coaches, the SEC office announced on Tuesday. The Deland native averaged 17.9 points per game in conference play this season with three 20-point performances, including two of his last four outings.

Castleton becomes the first Gator since Dorian Finney-Smith (2015 and 2016) to earn repeat All-SEC honors. And he received that recognition despite missing five SEC games (six total) with a shoulder injury.

“It’s obviously an honor,” Castleton said Tuesday. “I got the award last year. But doing it back-to-back years is definitely special. Just a testament to the opportunity they gave me here at Florida and just being humble, putting the work in every day and being ready to do what I’m capable of doing, which I feel like I was able to.

“Personally, I do not agree with it. But, I mean, I got injured so I understand where I’m at in that regard. But I’m obviously happy about it. It’s cool to have that award.”

Auburn’s Walker Kessler earned first-team honors despite Castleton outperforming him in both of their matchups and putting up better numbers. Castleton is averaging 16.4 points and 9.1 rebounds, while Kessler’s averages are 11.5 points and 8.2 rebounds. Kessler does rank No. 2 nationally with 4.5 blocks per game.

Castleton had 22 points and 10 rebounds at Auburn and finished with 19 points and eight boards in Florida’s upset over the Tigers, while limiting Kessler to 6 points and eight rebounds on Jan. 8 and 11 points and three boards on Feb. 19.

In 25 overall games this season, Castleton is the SEC’s No. 2 shot-blocker (2.44) and offensive rebounder (3.16) and ranks third in rebounding (9.12) and field goal percentage (.543). He blocked at least three shots in six of his 13 SEC appearances, including eight in the win at South Carolina to match his career high.

The Michigan transfer posted nine double-doubles on the year, with a pair of 20/10 performances against top-10 opponents Auburn and Kentucky. He also recorded a career-high 29 points vs. Arkansas.

Castleton also developed as a passer in 2022, notching a career-high five assists in the win at Vanderbilt — all on kick-outs for 3-pointers — including the game-winner to Phlandrous Fleming Jr. with 6.3 seconds left.

“I love the kid. It’s incredible how far he’s come,” Florida coach Mike White said of Castleton. “This is a guy who, you go back and look at his AAU numbers, didn’t get a lot of touches. He goes two years at a high-level program under two different coaches and didn’t get a lot of opportunity. That said, he played on really good teams with some of other really good players. He comes here and we thought, potentially, it might take a little while. He’s gotta get his feet wet. He’s gotta figure this thing out. And immediately he makes a huge impact offensively.

“Well, now in a hurry he’s a focal point. He’s new at this, yet he’s the biggest name on the other team’s scouting report. And while you’re trying to figure out how to impact at this level, by the way they’re going to throw two and three guys at you and now you gotta figure that out. And then comes a significant injury. Just proud of him. He’s incredibly tough. He’s become an unselfish, willing, good decision-making passer. He was a good scorer for a year and a half, and now he’s a very good scorer and he’s a good playmaker. We’re playing through him and he’s just making winning plays.”

The Gators open SEC Tournament action in Tampa on Thursday at noon against Texas A&M. The game will be televised on SEC Network.