Naismith College Player of the Year explained

Naismith College Player of the Year
Description:the most outstanding male and female basketball players in NCAA Division I
Presenter:Atlanta Tipoff Club
Country:United States
Year:1969 (men)
1983 (women)
Holder:

The Naismith College Player of the Year is "the most prestigious national award presented annually to the men's and women's college basketball players of the year," as chosen by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's Board of Selectors.[1] It is named in honor of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball.[1]

History and selection

First awarded exclusively to male players in 1969, the award was expanded to include female players in 1983.[1] Annually before the college season begins in November, a "watchlist" consisting of 50 players is chosen by the Atlanta Tipoff Club board of selectors, comprising head coaches, administrators and media members from across the United States.[1] By February, the list of nominees is narrowed down to 30 players based on performance.[1] In March, four out of the 30 players are selected as finalists and are placed in the final ballot.[1] The final winners are selected in April by both the board of selectors and fan voting via text messaging.[1] The winners receive the Naismith Trophy.

Three award winners, two men and one woman, were born in United States territories:

The only award winners who have been born outside the jurisdiction of the United States were:

Six of these players were developed at least partially in the U.S. proper—Lee was raised in Harlem from early childhood; Ewing immigrated to the Boston area at age 12; Boston moved to Worcester, Massachusetts at the same age; Hield attended high school in suburban Wichita, Kansas; Tshiebwe attended high schools in southwestern Virginia and western Pennsylvania; and Edey spent his last two high school years in Florida. Duncan did not move to the U.S. proper until he arrived at Wake Forest University, and Bogut lived in Australia until his arrival at the University of Utah.

Through 2024–25, Duke has the most male winners with nine, while UConn has the most female winners, with eleven awards won by seven individuals. The award has been won by a freshman five times: Kevin Durant (Texas, 2007), Anthony Davis (Kentucky, 2012), Zion Williamson (Duke, 2019), Paige Bueckers (UConn, 2021), and Cooper Flagg (Duke, 2025).

Key

Player (X)Denotes the number of times the player has been awarded the Naismith Player of the Year Award at that point

Winners

Reference
1968–69UCLAC[2]
1969–70LSUPG[3]
1970–71Notre DameSG[4]
UCLAC[5]
(2)UCLAC[6]
1973–74 (3)UCLAC[7]
1974–75SG / SF[8]
1975–76IndianaSF[9]
1976–77UCLAG / F[10]
1977–78MarquettePG[11]
1978–79Indiana StateSF[12]
1979–80DePaulSF[13]
1980–81VirginiaC[14]
1981–82 (2)VirginiaC[15]
1982–83 (3)VirginiaC[16]
1983–84North CarolinaSG[17]
1984–85GeorgetownC[18]
1985–86DukePG[19]
1986–87NavyC[20]
1987–88KansasPF[21]
1988–89DukePF / SF[22]
1989–90La SalleSF[23]
1990–91UNLVPF[24]
1991–92DukePF / C[25]
1992–93IndianaSF[26]
1993–94PurdueSF[27]
1994–95MarylandPF[28]
1995–96UMassC[29]
1996–97Wake ForestC[30]
1997–98North CarolinaSF[31]
1998–99DukeC[32]
1999–00CincinnatiF[33]
2000–01DukePF[34]
2001–02DukePG[35]
2002–03TexasPG[36]
2003–04Saint Joseph'sPG[37]
2004–05UtahC[38]
2005–06DukeSG[39]
2006–07TexasSF[40]
2007–08North CarolinaPF[41]
2008–09OklahomaPF[42]
2009–10Ohio StateSF[43]
2010–11BYUPG / SG[44]
2011–12KentuckyC[45]
2012–13MichiganPG[46]
2013–14CreightonSF[47]
2014–15WisconsinPF[48]
2015–16OklahomaSG[49]
2016–17KansasPG[50]
2017–18VillanovaPG[51]
2018–19DukePF[52]
2019–20DaytonPF[53]
2020–21IowaC[54]
2021–22KentuckyC[55]
2022–23PurduePF / C[56]
2023–24 (2)PurdueC[57]
2024–25DukeSG / SF[58]
Reference
1968–69 No award
1969–70
1970–71
1971–72
1972–73
1973–74
1974–75
1975–76
1976–77
1977–78
1978–79
1979–80
1980–81
1981–82
1982–83Old DominionC[59]
1983–84USCSF[60]
1984–85 (2)SF[61]
1985–86 (3)USCSF[62]
1986–87TexasF[63]
1987–88F[64]
1988–89 (2)F[65]
1989–90StanfordPG[66]
1990–91VirginiaPG[67]
1991–92 (2)VirginiaPG[68]
1992–93Texas TechSG / SF[69]
1993–94C[70]
1994–95UConnC[71]
1995–96GeorgiaG[72]
1996–97StanfordSG / SF
1997–98TennesseeSF
1998–99 (2)SF[73]
1999–00TennesseeSF[74]
2000–01Notre DameC[75]
2001–02UConnPG
2002–03UConnPG / SG
2003–04 (2)UConnPG / SG[76]
2004–05LSUSG / SF[77]
2005–06 (2)LSUSG / SF[78]
2006–07PG[79]
2007–08TennesseePF[80]
2008–09UConnPF[81]
2009–10UConnC[82]
2010–11 (2)UConnPF[83]
2011–12BaylorC[84]
2012–13 (2)BaylorC[85]
2013–14UConnPF[86]
2014–15 (2)UConnPF[87]
2015–16 (3)UConnPF
2016–17WashingtonPG[88]
2017–18South CarolinaC[89]
2018–19IowaPF / C[90]
2019–20OregonPG[91]
2020–21UConnPG[92]
2021–22South CarolinaPF / C[93]
2022–23IowaPG[94]
2023–24 (2)IowaPG[95]
2024–25USCSG[96]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: . March 10, 2014 . Naismith Award Fact Sheet . NCAA.com . . . April 18, 2025.
  2. News: Alcindor first Naismith Trophy recipient . Johnson City Press . . March 20, 1969 . 22. Newspapers.com. April 18, 2025.
  3. News: Maravich Wins Naismith Top Cager Trophy . The Crowley Post-Signal . . March 17, 1970 . 6. Newspapers.com. April 18, 2025.
  4. News: Notre Dame's Austin Carr Accorded Naismith Trophy . Berwick Enterprise . . March 16, 1971 . 6. Newspapers.com. April 18, 2025.
  5. News: UCLA's Walton Wins Naismith Trophy . . . March 19, 1972 . 29. Newspapers.com. April 18, 2025.
  6. News: Walton wins Naismith Trophy...again . Thousand Oaks Star . . March 16, 1973 . 15. Newspapers.com. April 18, 2025.
  7. News: Naismith Award To Walton Again . . . March 10, 1974 . 8. Newspapers.com. April 18, 2025.
  8. News: Thompson gets Naismith honor . . . April 7, 1975 . 36. Newspapers.com. April 18, 2025.
  9. News: Davidson. David. May Wins Naismith . . Atlanta, Georgia . March 7, 1976 . 77 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  10. News: UCLA's Johnson Takes Player Of Year Honors . . . March 6, 1977 . 44 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  11. News: Naismith award to Butch Lee . . . March 30, 1978 . 10. Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  12. News: Indiana State's Bird wins Naismith award . . . March 15, 1979 . 33 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  13. News: Aguirre Is Winner Of Naismith Award . . . March 17, 1980 . 11 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  14. News: Stinson. Thomas M.. Sampson Named Naismith Winner . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Atlanta, Georgia . April 2, 1981 . 69 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  15. News: Sampson Heads Naismith All-Americans . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Atlanta, Georgia . March 25, 1982 . 87 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  16. News: Sampson is Naismith award winner, again . . . March 11, 1983 . 7 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  17. News: Michael Jordan receives Naismith Trophy . . . April 6, 1984 . 20 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  18. News: Rosen. Karen. Naismith Trophy provides consolation for Ewing, Miller . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Atlanta, Georgia . April 5, 1985 . 84 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  19. News: Rosen. Karen. Dawkins, Miller to received Naismith Awards . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Atlanta, Georgia . March 14, 1986 . 91 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  20. News: Robinson awarded Naismith Trophy . Salisbury Post . Salisbury, North Carolina . March 14, 1987 . 7 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  21. News: Manning awarded Naismith Trophy . . . March 18, 1988 . 42 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  22. News: Ferry earns Naismith honor as nation's best . . . March 12, 1989 . 19 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  23. News: Simmons Wins Naismith . . . March 21, 1990 . 88 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  24. News: Johnson, Staley selected 1991 Naismith recipients . . . March 29, 1991 . 28 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  25. News: Laettner, Coach K, Weller take honors . . . April 6, 1992 . 54 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  26. News: Cheaney wins Naismith, Rupp player awards . . . April 3, 1993 . 4 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  27. News: Robinson wins Naismith, says he'll stay . . . March 28, 1994 . 129 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  28. News: Joe Smith takes hoops Naismith . . . March 27, 1995 . 15 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  29. News: Chimelis. Ron. Joe Smith takes hoops Naismith . . . March 25, 1996 . 23 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  30. News: Reese . Earnest. Duncan, Starbird honored . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Atlanta, Georgia . April 6, 1997 . 191 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  31. News: Jamison, Holdsclaw Naismith winners . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Atlanta, Georgia . March 28, 1998 . 165 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  32. News: Duke doubles up on Naismith . . . March 25, 1999 . 31 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  33. News: McKissic. Rodney. Martin wins Naismith . . . March 14, 2000 . 12 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  34. News: Duke's Battier wins Naismith award . . . March 14, 2001 . 19 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  35. News: Williams, Bird take Naismiths . . . March 19, 2002 . 37 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  36. News: Naismith tabs Ford, Taurasi . Wisconsin State Journal . Madison, Wisconsin . March 25, 2003 . 28. Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  37. News: Jameer trophies . . Kansas City, Missouri . May 7, 2004 . 80. Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  38. News: Naismith Trophy goes to Bogut . . . April 4, 2005 . 34. Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  39. News: Redick receives Naismith Trophy . . . April 3, 2006 . 18. Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  40. News: Barnhouse. Wendell. Durant nets fourth award . . . April 2, 2007 . A10 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  41. News: Hansbrough wins Naismith Trophy . . . April 7, 2008 . 10 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  42. News: Griffin wins Naismith player of year award . . . April 6, 2009 . 20 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  43. News: OSU's Turner collects Naismith Award . . . April 5, 2010 . 17 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  44. News: Jimmer wins Naismith Award . . . April 5, 2011 . B2 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  45. News: Davis receives Naismith Trophy . Honolulu Star-Advertiser . Honolulu, Hawaii . April 2, 2012 . C6 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  46. News: Burke claims Naismith . . . April 8, 2013 . 13 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  47. News: McDermott wins Naismith award . Telegraph . . April 8, 2014 . 13 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  48. News: Kaminsky wins Naismith award . The Daily Progress . Charlottesville, Virginia . April 6, 2015 . 12 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  49. News: Austin. Kyle. Hield claims Naismith over Valentine . . . April 4, 2016 . 11 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  50. News: Kansas' Mason wins Naismith Trophy . . . April 3, 2017 . B2 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  51. News: Schnell. Lindsay . Michigan vs. Villanova . The Globe . . April 2, 2018 . 12 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  52. News: Duke's Williamson is named Naismith player of the year . . . April 8, 2019 . 15 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  53. News: Jablonski. David. Obi Toppin wins Naismith Award . . . April 4, 2020 . 15 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  54. News: Hlas. Mike. Iowa's Garza winner of Naismith Trophy . . . April 4, 2021 . P1 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  55. News: Oscar Tshiebwe has won a truckload of trophies. Here's the full — and historic — list . . . April 7, 2022 . B4 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  56. News: King. Sam. Edey claims Naismith Award . . . April 4, 2023 . B1 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  57. News: Chidley-Hill. John. Olynyk impressed with Edey's growth . . . April 9, 2024 . A15 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  58. News: Casselberry . Ian . April 6, 2025 . Duke's Cooper Flagg named men's Naismith National Player of the Year . yahoo.com . Durham, North Carolina . . April 18, 2025.
  59. News: Davidson. David. First Naismith to female player goes to Donovan . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Atlanta, Georgia . April 8, 1983 . 79 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  60. News: Michael Jordan, Cheryl Miller Named Naismith Award Winners . . . March 16, 1984 . 24 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  61. News: Clegg. Guerry. Patrick Ewing, Cheryl Miller are honored by Tipoff Club . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Atlanta, Georgia . March 16, 1985 . 25 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  62. News: Dawkins, Miller win Naismith awards . . . March 14, 1986 . 33 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  63. News: Robinson, Davis win Naismith awards . . . March 13, 1987 . 12 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  64. News: Naismith Trophy to Manning, Wicks . Tarrytown Daily News . . March 18, 1988 . 34 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  65. News: Naismith Awards given to Ferry, Clarissa Davis . . . March 11, 1989 . 10 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  66. News: Gates. Nick. Oak Ridge's Azzi named Naismith Award winner . . . March 22, 1990 . 21 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  67. News: Daniels. Rob. Staley, Ryan Naismith winners . The Daily Progress . Charlottesville, Virginia . March 29, 1991 . 19 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  68. News: Virginia's Staley repeats as Naismith winner . . . April 6, 1992 . 14 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  69. News: Texas Tech's Swoopes recipient of Naismith Award . . . April 14, 1993 . 17 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  70. News: USC's Leslie receives another honor . . . April 4, 1994 . 1 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  71. News: Smith, Lobo win Naismith . . . March 27, 1995 . 1 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  72. News: Ringgold. Buck. Roundtree player of the year . . . March 24, 1996 . 1 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  73. News: Holdsclaw, Peck named Naismith award winners . Knoxville News Sentinel . Knoxville, Tennessee . March 29, 1999 . 25 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  74. News: Fleser. Dan. Hard work earns Catchings Naismith Award . Knoxville News Sentinel . Knoxville, Tennessee . March 14, 2000 . 27 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  75. News: Haugh. David. A diamond, but no longer in the rough . . . April 2, 2001 . 84 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  76. News: Naismith Players of Year are Taurasi and Nelson . . . March 24, 2004 . 18 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  77. News: Augustus wins Naismith trophy award for top player . . . April 7, 2005 . 6 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  78. Web site: . 2025 . Women's Naismith Award Winners . sports-reference.com . Sports Reference LLC . April 21, 2025.
  79. News: Duke's Harding wins Naismith Award . . . March 8, 2007 . 12 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  80. News: Fleser. Dan. Parker claims her third Naismith Award . Knoxville News Sentinel . Knoxville, Tennessee . April 8, 2008 . 26 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  81. News: Altavilla. John. Moore Wins Naismith Trophy . . . April 7, 2009 . B06 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  82. News: Naismith to Charles . . . April 6, 2010 . C2 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  83. News: Moore wins Naismith . The Day . New London, Connecticut . April 5, 2011 . C1 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  84. News: Baylor (cont.) . Fort Worth Star-Telegram . Fort Worth, Texas . April 5, 2012 . A7 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  85. News: Parchman. Will . Goodbye to Griner . . . April 14, 2013 . 33 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  86. News: Griffin. Ned . Stewart adds to growing trophy list . The Day . New London, Connecticut . April 9, 2014 . C4 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  87. News: UConn's Stewart wins 2nd straight Naismith Trophy . . . April 8, 2015 . 13 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  88. News: Allen. Percy. Plum needs a larger trophy case . . . April 4, 2017 . D1 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  89. News: Wilson: What a journey . . . April 11, 2018 . C2 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  90. News: Linder. Jeff. Gustafson, Bluder win Naismith . The Gazette . Cedar Rapids, Iowa . April 7, 2019 . P1 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  91. News: Oregon's Ionescu adds Naismith to trophy case . Southern Illinoisian . . April 4, 2020 . B4 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  92. News: UConn's Paige Bueckers wins Naismith Trophy . West Central Tribune . Willmar, Minnesota . April 5, 2021 . 7 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  93. News: Stone. Augusta. Gamecocks sweep Naismith national basketball awards . . . April 1, 2022 . B1 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  94. News: Iowa's Caitlin Clark wins Naismith Trophy . . . March 30, 2023 . 11 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  95. News: Iowa's Clark wins second straight Naismith Award . . . April 6, 2024 . 26 . Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.
  96. News: Chiari . Mike . April 2, 2025 . JuJu Watkins Wins 2025 Naismith Women's College Player of the Year Award . BleacherReport.com . . . April 18, 2025.
  97. News: Keidan. Bruce. Police Protection Fails to Lessen Faith in Religion . . Philadelphia, Pennsylvania . February 13, 1973 . 13. Newspapers.com . April 18, 2025.

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