He chose to wear jersey number 1, and as a true freshman he was selected as a starter by coach John Brady, playing 34.4 minutes per game (2nd on the team behind senior guard Darrel Mitchell): he averaged 11.4 points (4th on the team), 5.6 rebounds (3rd behind Glen Davis and Tyrus Thomas) and 2.8 assists (2nd behind Darrel Mitchell); he recorded three double-doubles during the season, and he was named SEC Freshman of the Week after recording 19 points and 12 rebounds against Southern on November 18, 2005, the first game of the season.