AFFLALO EARNS A TOP HONOR JUNIOR NAMED FIRST-TEAM AP ALL-AMERICAN.

Byline: JILL PAINTER

Staff Writer

The awards are getting bigger and better for UCLA guard Arron Afflalo.

Afflalo was named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press -- one of the most esteemed honors in college basketball -- on Monday, capping a long list of accolades for the junior.

Afflalo has been named a first team All-American by five media outlets.

"I've been told it's probably the biggest one," Afflalo said. "I'm very happy about it, but this is a team sport, and I'm so focused on this weekend that I haven't had time to celebrate."

Afflalo will have plenty of time -- and desire -- to do that if UCLA is crowned national champion next Monday in Atlanta. UCLA beat No. 1 seed Kansas on Saturday in the West Regional final, earning the school's second trip to the Final Four in as many seasons. UCLA (30-5) drew a rematch with the Florida Gators, who dominated the Bruins 73-57 in the final last year.

Joining Afflalo on the first team is Texas freshman Kevin Durant, the only unanimous selection voted on by the 72-member national media panel, which made its selections before the NCAA Tournament. Ohio State freshman Greg Oden and seniors Alando Tucker of Wisconsin and Acie Law of Texas A&M also made the first team.

Florida, which earned the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, did not have a representative on the first team, although Joakim Noah, a preseason first-team selection, was a second-team pick, and Al Horford got honorable mention.

Oden and Durant probably would be in the NBA if not for the new minimum age requirement. The newcomers were so impressive they became the first freshmen to be named to the first team since 1990.

"I am not very big on individual honors, but I am very humbled to be included on the Associated Press All-America team," Durant told the AP. "When you look at the other four guys who are on the team, I am honored to be mentioned with them."

Afflalo started all 35 games and is averaging 16.9 points per game. His most important contribution, however, is in guarding an opponent's best offensive player. Even when Afflalo struggled with his shooting touch late in the season and off and on in the NCAA Tournament, his defense and leadership have been constants.

He has shot 90.9 percent from the free-throw line in the tournament and his rebounding average is up to 5.5 in those four games.

"Arron is a great representative of UCLA, UCLA basketball and college basketball," Bruins coach Ben Howland said. "He's an impressive young man. I couldn't be prouder or happier for him."

Afflalo made himself eligible for the NBA Draft after his sophomore season, along with Jordan Farmar, but later withdrew his name from consideration and returned to school. Farmar (Taft High of Woodland Hills) left UCLA and is now playing for the Lakers.

Afflalo has an opportunity to bring UCLA is 12th NCAA title in basketball.

"There's one thing I'm after," Afflalo said.

And the road to that championship runs through Florida again.

"Now that it's here, it's a great thing," Afflalo said. "If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. They're the overall No. 1 seed. What better way to do it?"

[e-mail]

[phone]

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

(color) AFFLALO

Box:

FIRST-TIME AP ALL-AMERICANS