Annual college basketball award
TheNaismith College Player of the Year is "the most prestigious national award presented annually to the men's and women'scollege basketball players of the year," as chosen by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's Board of Selectors.[ 1] It is named in honor ofJames Naismith , the inventor of basketball.[ 1]
History and selection [ edit ] 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 viatext messaging .[ 1] The winners receive theNaismith Trophy .
Three award winners, two men and one woman, were born in United States territories:
The only award winners who have been born outside thejurisdiction of the United States were:
Andrew Bogut , born inMelbourne , Australia.Patrick Ewing , born inKingston, Jamaica .Buddy Hield , born inFreeport, Bahamas .Oscar Tshiebwe , born inLubumbashi , Democratic Republic of the Congo.Zach Edey , born inToronto , Ontario, Canada.Six of these players were developed at least partially in the U.S. proper—Lee was raised inHarlem from early childhood; Ewing immigrated to theBoston area at age 12; Boston moved toWorcester, Massachusetts at the same age; Hield attended high school in suburbanWichita, Kansas ; Tshiebwe attended high schools insouthwestern Virginia andwestern Pennsylvania ; and Edey spent his last two high school years inFlorida . Duncan did not move to the U.S. proper until he arrived atWake Forest University , and Bogut lived in Australia until his arrival at theUniversity of Utah .
Through 2024–25,Duke has the most male winners with nine, whileUConn has the most female winners, with eleven awards won by seven individuals. The award has been won by afreshman five times:Kevin Durant (Texas , 2007),Anthony Davis (Kentucky , 2012),Zion Williamson (Duke, 2019),Paige Bueckers (UConn, 2021), andCooper Flagg (Duke, 2025).
Player (X) Denotes the number of times the player has been awarded the Naismith Player of the Year Award at that point
a Lew Alcindor changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1971 after converting toIslam .[ 97] ^a b c d e f g "Naismith Award Fact Sheet" .NCAA.com .Atlanta, Georgia :National Collegiate Athletic Association . March 10, 2014. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 .^ "Alcindor first Naismith Trophy recipient" .Johnson City Press .Johnson City, Tennessee . March 20, 1969. p. 22. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – viaNewspapers.com .^ "Maravich Wins Naismith Top Cager Trophy" .The Crowley Post-Signal .Crowley, Louisiana . March 17, 1970. p. 6. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Notre Dame's Austin Carr Accorded Naismith Trophy" .Berwick Enterprise .Berwick, Pennsylvania . March 16, 1971. p. 6. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "UCLA's Walton Wins Naismith Trophy" .The Star Press .Muncie, Indiana . March 19, 1972. p. 29. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Walton wins Naismith Trophy...again" .Thousand Oaks Star .Thousand Oaks, California . March 16, 1973. p. 15. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Naismith Award To Walton Again" .Times Recorder .Zanesville, Ohio . March 10, 1974. p. 8. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Thompson gets Naismith honor" .Honolulu Star-Advertiser .Honolulu, Hawaii . April 7, 1975. p. 36. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ Davidson, David (March 7, 1976)."May Wins Naismith" .The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Atlanta, Georgia. p. 77. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. ^ "UCLA's Johnson Takes Player Of Year Honors" .Tyler Courier-Times .Tyler, Texas . March 6, 1977. p. 44. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Naismith award to Butch Lee" .The Daily News Journal .Murfreesboro, Tennessee . March 30, 1978. p. 10. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Indiana State's Bird wins Naismith award" .Wisconsin State Journal .Madison, Wisconsin . March 15, 1979. p. 33. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Aguirre Is Winner Of Naismith Award" .Pharos-Tribune .Logansport, Indiana . March 17, 1980. p. 11. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ Stinson, Thomas M. (April 2, 1981)."Sampson Named Naismith Winner" .The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Atlanta, Georgia. p. 69. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. ^ "Sampson Heads Naismith All-Americans" .The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Atlanta, Georgia. March 25, 1982. p. 87. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Sampson is Naismith award winner, again" .The Sanford Herald .Sanford, North Carolina . March 11, 1983. p. 7. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Michael Jordan receives Naismith Trophy" .Salisbury Post .Salisbury, North Carolina . April 6, 1984. p. 20. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ Rosen, Karen (April 5, 1985)."Naismith Trophy provides consolation for Ewing, Miller" .The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Atlanta, Georgia. p. 84. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. ^ Rosen, Karen (March 14, 1986)."Dawkins, Miller to received Naismith Awards" .The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Atlanta, Georgia. p. 91. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. ^ "Robinson awarded Naismith Trophy" .Salisbury Post . Salisbury, North Carolina. March 14, 1987. p. 7. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Manning awarded Naismith Trophy" .Kansas City Times .Kansas City, Missouri . March 18, 1988. p. 42. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Ferry earns Naismith honor as nation's best" .The Goldsboro News-Argus .Goldsboro, North Carolina . March 12, 1989. p. 19. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Simmons Wins Naismith" .Philadelphia Daily News .Philadelphia, Pennsylvania . March 21, 1990. p. 88. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Johnson, Staley selected 1991 Naismith recipients" .The Daily Advertiser .Lafayette, Louisiana . March 29, 1991. p. 28. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Laettner, Coach K, Weller take honors" .Richmond Times-Dispatch .Richmond, Virginia . April 6, 1992. p. 54. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Cheaney wins Naismith, Rupp player awards" .The Greenville News .Greenville, South Carolina . April 3, 1993. p. 4. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Robinson wins Naismith, says he'll stay" .Miami Herald .Miami, Florida . March 28, 1994. p. 129. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Joe Smith takes hoops Naismith" .The Daily Progress .Charlottesville, Virginia . March 27, 1995. p. 15. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ Chimelis, Ron (March 25, 1996)."Joe Smith takes hoops Naismith" .The Republican .Springfield, Massachusetts . p. 23. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. ^a b Reese, Earnest (April 6, 1997)."Duncan, Starbird honored" .The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Atlanta, Georgia. p. 191. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. ^a b "Jamison, Holdsclaw Naismith winners" .The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Atlanta, Georgia. March 28, 1998. p. 165. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Duke doubles up on Naismith" .The Charlotte Observer .Charlotte, North Carolina . March 25, 1999. p. 31. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ McKissic, Rodney (March 14, 2000)."Martin wins Naismith" .The Cincinnati Post .Cincinnati, Ohio . p. 12. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. ^ "Duke's Battier wins Naismith award" .Columbia Daily Tribune .Columbia, Missouri . March 14, 2001. p. 19. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^a b "Williams, Bird take Naismiths" .The Commercial Appeal .Memphis, Tennessee . March 19, 2002. p. 37. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^a b "Naismith tabs Ford, Taurasi" .Wisconsin State Journal . Madison, Wisconsin. March 25, 2003. p. 28. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Jameer trophies" .The Kansas City Star . Kansas City, Missouri. May 7, 2004. p. 80. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Naismith Trophy goes to Bogut" .Evansville Courier & Press .Evansville, Indiana . April 4, 2005. p. 34. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Redick receives Naismith Trophy" .The Herald-Sun .Durham, North Carolina . April 3, 2006. p. 18. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ Barnhouse, Wendell (April 2, 2007)."Durant nets fourth award" .Fort Worth Star-Telegram .Durham, North Carolina . p. A10. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. ^ "Hansbrough wins Naismith Trophy" .The Manhattan Mercury .Manhattan, Kansas . April 7, 2008. p. 10. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Griffin wins Naismith player of year award" .The Oklahoman .Oklahoma City, Oklahoma . April 6, 2009. p. 20. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "OSU's Turner collects Naismith Award" .Dayton Daily News .Dayton, Ohio . April 5, 2010. p. 17. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Jimmer wins Naismith Award" .Leader-Telegram .Eau Claire, Wisconsin . April 5, 2011. p. B2. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Davis receives Naismith Trophy" .Honolulu Star-Advertiser . Honolulu, Hawaii. April 2, 2012. p. C6. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Burke claims Naismith" .Jackson Citizen Patriot .Jackson, Michigan . April 8, 2013. p. 13. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "McDermott wins Naismith award" .Telegraph .North Platte, Nebraska . April 8, 2014. p. 13. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Kaminsky wins Naismith award" .The Daily Progress . Charlottesville, Virginia. April 6, 2015. p. 12. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ Austin, Kyle (April 4, 2016)."Hield claims Naismith over Valentine" .Kalamazoo Gazette .Kalamazoo, Michigan . p. 11. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. ^ "Kansas' Mason wins Naismith Trophy" .The Herald .Rock Hill, South Carolina . April 3, 2017. p. B2. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ Schnell, Lindsay (April 2, 2018)."Michigan vs. Villanova" .The Globe .Worthington, Minnesota . p. 12. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. ^ "Duke's Williamson is named Naismith player of the year" .The Buffalo News .Buffalo, New York . April 8, 2019. p. 15. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ Jablonski, David (April 4, 2020)."Obi Toppin wins Naismith Award" .Hamilton JournalNews .Hamilton, Ohio . p. 15. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. ^ Hlas, Mike (April 4, 2021)."Iowa's Garza winner of Naismith Trophy" .The Gazette .Cedar Rapids, Iowa . p. P1. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. ^ "Oscar Tshiebwe has won a truckload of trophies. Here's the full — and historic — list" .Lexington Herald-Leader .Lexington, Kentucky . April 7, 2022. p. B4. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ King, Sam (April 4, 2023)."Edey claims Naismith Award" .Journal & Courier .Lafayette, Indiana . p. B1. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. ^ Chidley-Hill, John (April 9, 2024)."Olynyk impressed with Edey's growth" .Toronto Star .Toronto, Canada . p. A15. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. ^ Casselberry, Ian (April 6, 2025)."Duke's Cooper Flagg named men's Naismith National Player of the Year" .yahoo.com . Durham, North Carolina:Yahoo . RetrievedApril 18, 2025 . ^ Davidson, David (April 8, 1983)."First Naismith to female player goes to Donovan" .The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Atlanta, Georgia. p. 79. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. ^ "Michael Jordan, Cheryl Miller Named Naismith Award Winners" .Indian River Press Journal .Vero Beach, Florida . March 16, 1984. p. 24. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ Clegg, Guerry (March 16, 1985)."Patrick Ewing, Cheryl Miller are honored by Tipoff Club" .The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Atlanta, Georgia. p. 25. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. ^ "Dawkins, Miller win Naismith awards" .The Telegraph .Macon, Georgia . March 14, 1986. p. 33. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Robinson, Davis win Naismith awards" .The State Journal .Frankfort, Kentucky . March 13, 1987. p. 12. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Naismith Trophy to Manning, Wicks" .Tarrytown Daily News .Tarrytown, New York . March 18, 1988. p. 34. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Naismith Awards given to Ferry, Clarissa Davis" .Rocky Mount Telegram .Rocky Mount, North Carolina . March 11, 1989. p. 10. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ Gates, Nick (March 22, 1990)."Oak Ridge's Azzi named Naismith Award winner" .Knoxville News Sentinel .Knoxville, Tennessee . p. 21. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. ^ Daniels, Rob (March 29, 1991)."Staley, Ryan Naismith winners" .The Daily Progress . Charlottesville, Virginia. p. 19. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. ^ "Virginia's Staley repeats as Naismith winner" .Pittsburgh Post-Gazette .Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania . April 6, 1992. p. 14. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Texas Tech's Swoopes recipient of Naismith Award" .The Monitor .McAllen, Texas . April 14, 1993. p. 17. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "USC's Leslie receives another honor" .The Pantagraph .Bloomington–Normal, Illinois . April 4, 1994. p. 1. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Smith, Lobo win Naismith" .Lansing State Journal .Lansing, Michigan . March 27, 1995. p. 1. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ Ringgold, Buck (March 24, 1996)."Roundtree player of the year" .Kilgore News Herald .Kilgore, Texas . p. 1. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. ^ "Holdsclaw, Peck named Naismith award winners" .Knoxville News Sentinel . Knoxville, Tennessee. March 29, 1999. p. 25. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ Fleser, Dan (March 14, 2000)."Hard work earns Catchings Naismith Award" .Knoxville News Sentinel . Knoxville, Tennessee. p. 27. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. ^ Haugh, David (April 2, 2001)."A diamond, but no longer in the rough" .South Bend Tribune .South Bend, Indiana . p. 84. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. ^ "Naismith Players of Year are Taurasi and Nelson" .Record-Journal .Meriden, Connecticut . March 24, 2004. p. 18. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Augustus wins Naismith trophy award for top player" .Leesville Daily Leader .Leesville, Louisiana . April 7, 2005. p. 6. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^a b "Women's Naismith Award Winners" .sports-reference.com . Sports Reference LLC. 2025. RetrievedApril 21, 2025 .^ "Duke's Harding wins Naismith Award" .The Daily Dispatch .Henderson, North Carolina . March 8, 2007. p. 12. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ Fleser, Dan (April 8, 2008)."Parker claims her third Naismith Award" .Knoxville News Sentinel . Knoxville, Tennessee. p. 26. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. ^ Altavilla, John (April 7, 2009)."Moore Wins Naismith Trophy" .Hartford Courant .Hartford, Connecticut . p. B06. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. ^ "Naismith to Charles" .The Day .New London, Connecticut . April 6, 2010. p. C2. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Moore wins Naismith" .The Day . New London, Connecticut. April 5, 2011. p. C1. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Baylor (cont.)" .Fort Worth Star-Telegram . Fort Worth, Texas. April 5, 2012. p. A7. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ Parchman, Will (April 14, 2013)."Goodbye to Griner" .Waco Tribune-Herald .Waco, Texas . p. 33. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. ^ Griffin, Ned (April 9, 2014)."Stewart adds to growing trophy list" .The Day . New London, Connecticut. p. C4. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. ^ "UConn's Stewart wins 2nd straight Naismith Trophy" .West Central Tribune .Willmar, Minnesota . April 8, 2015. p. 13. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ Allen, Percy (April 4, 2017)."Plum needs a larger trophy case" .The Daily News .Longview, Washington . p. D1. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. ^ "Wilson: What a journey" .Missoulian .Missoula, Montana . April 11, 2018. p. C2. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ Linder, Jeff (April 7, 2019)."Gustafson, Bluder win Naismith" .The Gazette . Cedar Rapids, Iowa. p. P1. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. ^ "Oregon's Ionescu adds Naismith to trophy case" .Southern Illinoisian .Carbondale, Illinois . April 4, 2020. p. B4. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "UConn's Paige Bueckers wins Naismith Trophy" .West Central Tribune . Willmar, Minnesota. April 5, 2021. p. 7. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ Stone, Augusta (April 1, 2022)."Gamecocks sweep Naismith national basketball awards" .The State .Columbia, South Carolina . p. B1. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. ^ "Iowa's Caitlin Clark wins Naismith Trophy" .The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead .Fargo, North Dakota . March 30, 2023. p. 11. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Iowa's Clark wins second straight Naismith Award" .Post-Bulletin .Rochester, Minnesota . April 6, 2024. p. 26. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.^ Chiari, Mike (April 2, 2025)."JuJu Watkins Wins 2025 Naismith Women's College Player of the Year Award" .BleacherReport.com .Los Angeles, California :Bleacher Report . RetrievedApril 18, 2025 . ^ Keidan, Bruce (February 13, 1973)."Police Protection Fails to Lessen Faith in Religion" .The Philadelphia Inquirer . Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. p. 13. RetrievedApril 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
Links to related articles
U.S. men's college basketball awards
Player awards
Head coach awards
National coaches of the year Conference coaches of the year
Division awards Other awards
U.S. women's college basketball awards
Player awards
National players of the year Conference players of the year
Head coach awards
National coaches of the year Conference coaches of the year
Other awards