Power 36: Gonzaga, Dayton, Kentucky climb in top-5
The Atlanta Tipoff Club announced today the 10 semifinalists named for the the Citizen Naismith Trophy, which is awarded to the season's best Division I men's basketball player.
Four finalists will be named on March 17, and the winner will be announced on April 5.
DEFENSIVE POY: 10 semifinalists announced for Naismith Men’s Defensive Player of the Year award
In a pool of seven different conferences represented, the Big 12, Big East and Big Ten lead all with two semifinalists. Former winners include Duke's Zion Williamson (2019), Villanova's Jalen Brunson (2018) and Kansas' Frank Mason III (2017).
| FULL NAME | CLASS | POS | SCHOOL | CONFERENCE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Udoka Azubuike | Sr. | C | Kansas | Big 12 |
| Vernon Carey Jr. | Fr. | C | Duke | ACC |
| Devon Dotson | So. | G | Kansas | Big 12 |
| Malachi Flynn | Jr. | G | San Diego State | Mountain West |
| Luka Garza | Jr. | C | Iowa | Big Ten |
| Markus Howard | Sr. | G | Marquette | Big East |
| Myles Powell | Sr. | G | Seton Hall | Big East |
| Payton Pritchard | Sr. | G | Oregon | Pac-12 |
| Jalen Smith | So. | F | Maryland | Big Ten |
| Obi Toppin | So. | F | Dayton | Atlantic 10 |
