ASU's Harden just misses AP All-America team

Arizona State sophomore James Harden barely missed out on The Associated Press preseason All-America team, but he still managed to lead a different group.

The AP gave nods to the reigning national player of the year in North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough (unanimous selection with 72 votes), Davidson guard Stephen Curry (66 votes), Notre Dame forward Luke Harangody (58), UCLA guard Darren Collison (46) and Oklahoma forward Blake Griffin (45 votes).

Harden, who averaged 17.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists as a Sun Devil freshman last season, finished sixth with 25 votes. He was the only player outside the top five to make at least nine ballots.

Hansbrough was the leading vote-getter for a record third straight year, but it's the first time the Tar Heels forward was a unanimous selection (he missed last year by one vote). He averaged 22.6 points and 10.6 rebounds in leading the Tar Heels to a school-record 36 wins and the Final Four last season. He will miss about two weeks of practice after being diagnosed last week with a stress reaction in his right shin.

"Of course, we are all disappointed for Tyler and our team, but everybody on the roster has a chance to do a little more and play a little better to help make up for the loss of the national player of the year," North Carolina coach Roy Williams said.

Hansbrough is the first national player of the year to return to school since Shaquille O'Neal at LSU in 1991.

"To no one's surprise Tyler didn't rest on his previous accomplishments," Williams said. "He worked hard in the offseason to become an even better player. He has grown so much as a person and a player throughout his career and it has been a joy to watch."

Curry, who led Davidson's surprising run to the regional finals of last season's NCAA Tournament, averaged 32 points and was 23 of 51 from 3-point range during the tournament run despite seeing defenses aimed at stopping the slender guard. He averaged 25.9 points for the season and his contribution to the team should change some this season with the graduation of point guard Jason Richards, who led the nation in assists.

The 6-8 Harangody was the Big East player of the year last season after averaging 20.4 points and 10.6 rebounds.

His inside presence allowed the Fighting Irish to average 79 points, tied for the No. 1 spot in the conference.

Collison, a third-team All-America selection after leading the Bruins to a third straight Final Four appearance last season, averaged 14.5 points and 3.8 assists last season, and he will combine with Josh Shipp to give UCLA one of the nation's top backcourts this season.

Griffin surprised many when he decided to return to the Sooners for his sophomore season.

The 6-10, 250-pound Griffin averaged 14.7 points and 9.1 rebounds last season in leading Oklahoma through a rough Big 12 schedule and into the NCAA Tournament.