Kyle Wiltjer Headlines 2015-16 AP Preseason All-America Team

Gonzaga Bulldogs star Kyle Wiltjer received votes from 51 of 65 media members to lead the select five chosen to comprise the Associated Press' preseason All-America team.

Jim O'Connell reported on the squad for the AP on Monday, with Iowa State's Georges Niang, Oklahoma standout Buddy Hield, junior Providence point guard Kris Dunn and LSU phenom Ben Simmons also receiving All-America bids.

Simmons becomes only the fourth freshman ever to be named to the team, which comes as little surprise since he was 247Sports' No. 1 recruit for the Class of 2016.

After beginning his career with Kentucky, Wiltjer opted to transfer to Gonzaga and has fully capitalized as the cornerstone of the mid-major powerhouse. The rising senior is a tremendous stretch 4 who averaged 16.8 points per game last season and shot 54 percent from the floor, including 46.6 percent from three-point range.

There's considerable anticipation to see how far Simmons can carry the Tigers and whether Wiltjer can get the Bulldogs over the hump and into the Final Four in his final year.

It's certainly Wiltjer's goal, as he told Scott Gleeson of USA Today.

"We were that close to the Final Four," Wiltjer said. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't think about it all offseason, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hungry to be better than we were last year."

ESPN's Fran Fraschilla weighed in on an AP squad heavy with upperclassmen:

Niang, Hield and Dunn all starred for NCAA tournament teams last season. The Cyclones are dealing with the departure of head coach Fred Hoiberg for the Chicago Bulls, so they'll be leaning on Niang as much as ever.

Hield is a senior leader just like Niang and Wiltjer, while Dunn, the Friars' floor general, has considerable upside still to explore and ought to take big strides forward in 2015-16.