Anthony Chiusano | NCAA.com | April 7, 2019 Zion Williamson wins Naismith Trophy as 2019 most outstanding men’s college basketball player Duke's Zion Williamson on expectations, motivations — and wanting a title Share Duke freshman Zion Williamson was announced the winner of the 2019 Naismith Trophy on Sunday by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. The national award is handed out annually to the most outstanding men's college basketball player. Williamson is the eighth player out of Duke to win the Naismith Trophy. He edged out fellow finalists Rui Hachimura (Gonzaga), Grant Williams (Tennessee) and Ja Morant (Murray State) for the honor. Another incredible honor for Duke’s Zion Williamson! 🏆Congrats to @ZionW32 being named the @NaismithTrophy Player of the Year! 👏 pic.twitter.com/xyuLuuO9y1— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 7, 2019 Williamson finished with 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.8 blocks per game in 33 games played. He was a unanimous first-team AP All-American and swept ACC top honors as the conference's Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year. The two-way star also earned All-ACC defensive honors. 2019 NAISMITH FINALISTS' 2019 STATS: player Points per game rebounds per game assists per game blocks per game steals per game Zion Williamson 22.6 8.9 2.1 1.8 2.1 Rui Hachimura 19.7 6.5 1.5 0.7 0.9 Grant Williams 18.8 7.5 3.2 1.5 1.1 Ja Morant 24.5 5.7 10.0 0.8 1.8 The 6-7, 285-pound freshman returned from injury to lead the Blue Devils to an ACC tournament title — where he was named tournament Most Outstanding Player with 27 points per game — and the top overall seed in the 2019 NCAA tournament. Duke advanced to the Elite Eight before falling to Michigan State. In four NCAA tournament games, Williamson averaged 26 points and 8.5 rebounds. He posted 32 points in a narrow victory over UCF in the second round, marking his fifth 30-point performance of the season. VIRGINIA WINS 2019 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Virginia beats Texas Tech in OT | 3 takeaways from UVA's first title 2019 final bracket | Print bracket | How'd you do? Highlights & features | Shop Final Four gear Full championship history Williamson is the 51st winner of the Naismith Trophy, which has been awarded to representatives from 31 different schools since debuting in 1969. He is the first winner out of Duke since J.J. Redick took home the trophy in 2006. Below is the complete history of past winners of the men's Naismith Trophy: YEAR NAME SCHOOL 2019 Zion Williamson Duke 2018 Jalen Brunson Villanova 2017 Frank Mason III Kansas 2016 Buddy Hield Oklahoma 2015 Frank Kaminsky III Wisconsin 2014 Doug McDermott Creighton 2013 Trey Burke Michigan 2012 Anthony Davis Kentucky 2011 Jimmer Fredette BYU 2010 Evan Turner Ohio State 2009 Blake Griffin Oklahoma 2008 Tyler Hansbrough North Carolina 2007 Kevin Durant Texas 2006 J.J. Redick Duke 2005 Andrew Bogut Utah 2004 Jameer Nelson Saint Joseph's 2003 T.J. Ford Texas 2002 Jay Williams Duke 2001 Shane Battier Duke 2000 Kenyon Martin Cincinnati 1999 Elton Brand Duke 1998 Antawn Jamison North Carolina 1997 Tim Duncan Wake Forest 1996 Marcus Camby UMass 1995 Joe Smith Maryland 1994 Glenn Robinson Purdue 1993 Calbert Cheaney Indiana 1992 Christian Laettner Duke 1991 Larry Johnson UNLV 1990 Lionel Simmons LaSalle 1989 Danny Ferry Duke 1988 Danny Manning Kansas 1987 David Robinson Navy 1986 Johnny Dawkins Duke 1985 Patrick Ewing Georgetown 1984 Michael Jordan North Carolina 1983 Ralph Sampson Virginia 1982 Ralph Sampson Virginia 1981 Ralph Sampson Virginia 1980 Mark Aguirre DePaul 1979 Larry Bird Indiana State 1978 Butch Lee Marquette 1977 Marques Johnson UCLA 1976 Scott May Indiana 1975 David Thompson N.C. State 1974 Bill Walton UCLA 1973 Bill Walton UCLA 1972 Bill Walton UCLA 1971 Austin Carr Notre Dame 1970 Pete Maravich LSU 1969 Lew Alcindor UCLA Paolo Banchero: College basketball stats, best moments, quotes at Duke These are the essential stats, facts, highlights and quotes from Paolo Banchero's college basketball career at Duke. READ MORE Women's college lacrosse: No. 1 North Carolina wins ACC regular-season title with dominating win over No. 5 Duke North Carolina women's lacrosse took down Duke in dominating fashion, beating the Blue Devils, 18-4, to clinch the ACC regular-season title. READ MORE Colleges with the most players in the 2022 NBA Playoffs Kentucky leads all schools with 15 former Wildcats in the 2022 NBA Playoffs. READ MORE