Every now and then an Ole Miss basketball player comes along who has something special, and you can just tell they will be a part of the university family for long after they leave the court.

Rebel basketball standouts Sean Touhy and Keith Carter had those qualities, as both outstanding players and good people that lifted everyone around them up.

Now you can add Ole Miss basketball player Sebastian Saiz to the list.

Named the best player in Mississippi college basketball by winning the C Spire Howell Trophy this week, Saiz has posted superlatives in points (15.1) and rebounds (10.9) that make him easily one of the top players in the competitive SEC this season.

But those who know Saiz understand that his presence and quality off the court are what really make the man, and make us proud to call him a Rebel.

“The thing I’ll remember is his presence, his approach and who he is,” Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy said. “He’s got a great spirit. He’s a positive kid. He’s going to be very successful, and he’s meant a lot to this program. Never had a bad day. He’s that guy that you really want to pull for.”

We couldn’t have said it better.