AP Photo/Young Kwak
Gonzaga center Chet Holmgren and
Kentucky forward Oscar Tshiebwe headline the semifinalists for the
2022 Naismith Men’s Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Here’s a look at the complete group of
10 semifinalists announced Tuesday:
- Caleb McConnell, G, Rutgers
- Chet Holmgren, C, Gonzaga
- Christian Koloko, C, Arizona
- Jacob Gilyard, G, Richmond
- Jamarion Sharp, C, Western Kentucky
- Kevin McCullar, G, Texas Tech
- Oscar Tshiebwe, F, Kentucky
- Walker Kessler, F, Auburn
Holmgren and Tshiebwe also figure to
rank among the top contenders for the overall college basketball
Player of the Year Awards.
The Gonzaga center is averaging 8.0
defensive rebounds, 3.5 blocks and 0.7 steals through 27 games while leading a
Bulldogs defense that has allowed the nation’s lowest opponents’ effective field-goal percentage (42.7), per TeamRankings.
Tshiebwe leads the country in rebounds
per game (15.3), including 9.9 defensive boards per contest, while averaging 1.8 steals and 1.5 blocks across 29 appearances.
They face plenty of competition for the
top defensive honors, though.
Kessler leads the country in blocks per
game (4.7) to go along with averages of 5.6 defensive rebounds and 1.0 steals
in 29 starts for Auburn.
In terms of perimeter players, McCullar
is the driving force behind a Texas Tech defense that ranks second in
KenPom.com’s adjusted defensive efficiency.
How those four players and the other
six semifinalists perform during their upcoming conference
tournaments will likely play a key role in the next list cutdown.
The four finalists will be announced
March 16, and the award will be handed out April 3.
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