Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award

The Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award is an annual basketball award given to the most outstanding defensive player in men's and women's college basketball.^[1] It has been awarded by the Atlanta Tipoff Club since 2018 and is named in honor of James Naismith, the inventor of the sport.^[1]

Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award

Awarded for	the most outstanding defensive player in college basketball
Country	United States
Presented by	Atlanta Tipoff Club
History
First award	2018
Most recent	Jamal Shead, Houston (men) Cameron Brink, Stanford (women)
Website	Official website

Key

*	Awarded a national player of the year award: Men – Sporting News; Oscar Robertson Trophy; Associated Press; NABC; Naismith; Wooden Women – Wade; Associated Press; Naismith; Wooden
Player (X)	Denotes the number of times the player has been awarded the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year at that point

Winners

Jaylen Clark, UCLA, 2023

Cameron Brink, Stanford, 2024

Men Year Player School Position Class Reference 2017–18 Jevon Carter West Virginia PG Senior [2] 2018–19 Matisse Thybulle Washington SG Senior [3] 2019–20 Marcus Garrett Kansas SG Junior [4] 2020–21 Davion Mitchell Baylor PG Junior [5] 2021–22 Walker Kessler Auburn C Sophomore [6] 2022–23 Jaylen Clark UCLA SG Junior [7] 2023–24 Jamal Shead Houston PG Senior [8]

Women Year Player School Position Class Reference 2017–18 Teaira McCowan Mississippi State C Junior [9] 2018–19 Kristine Anigwe California PF / C Senior [10] 2019–20 DiDi Richards Baylor SG Junior [11] 2020–21 Natasha Mack Oklahoma State SF Senior [12] 2021–22 Aliyah Boston* South Carolina PF / C Junior [13] 2022–23 Aliyah Boston (2) South Carolina PF / C Senior [14] 2023–24 Cameron Brink Stanford C Senior [15]

References

1. "The Naismith Awards – History". NaismithTrophy.com. Atlanta Tipoff Club. 2024. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
2. Cobb, David (December 20, 2018). "Carter learning from Conley". The Commercial Appeal. Memphis, Tennessee. p. 13. Retrieved August 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
3. Kirschman, Lauren (April 8, 2019). "UW's Thybulle named Naismith Defensive Player of the Year". The Everett Herald. Everett, Washington. p. C1. Retrieved August 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
4. Bedore, Gary (April 2, 2020). "KU's Garrett is Naismith defensive player of year". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. B1. Retrieved August 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
5. Werner, John (April 3, 2021). "Mitchell named defensive player of year". Waco Tribune-Herald. Waco, Texas. p. 16. Retrieved August 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
6. Durando, Bennett (April 4, 2022). "Auburn's Kessler wins Naismith Defensive Player of the Year". Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery, Alabama. p. B3. Retrieved August 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "Zach Edey, Jerome Tang, Jaylen Clark win Naismith awards". The Victoria Advocate. Victoria, Texas. April 4, 2023. p. B2. Retrieved August 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
8. Criswell, Josh (April 7, 2024). "Naismith Awards: Jamal Shead makes Houston history with latest honor". Laredo Morning Times. Laredo, Texas. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
9. Miller, Brody (April 1, 2018). "Stopping McCowan 'A tall order'". Hattiesburg American. Hattiesburg, Mississippi. p. C2. Retrieved August 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
10. Stacy, Kelli (April 25, 2019). "Getting to know first-round pick Anigwe". Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. p. C1. Retrieved August 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
11. Conine, Chad (April 2, 2020). "Richards claims another 'pretty darn special' defensive honor". Waco Tribune-Herald. Waco, Texas. p. 9. Retrieved August 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
12. "OSU's Mack wins second defensive player of the year honor". The Oklahoman. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. April 3, 2021. p. C2. Retrieved August 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
13. Diaz, Cory (April 1, 2022). "USC's Boston named Naismith POTY". The Greenville News. Greenville, South Carolina. p. C1. Retrieved August 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
14. Holloway, Jeremiah (April 3, 2023). "Aliyah Boston declares for WNBA Draft". The State. Columbia, South Carolina. p. B1. Retrieved August 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
15. Nhi Nguyen, Thuc (April 15, 2024). "WNBA draft suspense begins after Clark". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Fort Worth, Texas. p. B2. Retrieved August 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.

External links

• Official website