Here are some of the top candidates for the Naismith Award
midway through the season.
Hield is a pure scorer. He has a knack for putting the ball in the hoop and is one of the toughest players in the country to guard. Hield, a senior from the Bahamas, was last season’s Big 12 player of the year. He has increased his efficiency so much from last year, raising his scoring average by 9 points and increasing his field goal percentage from 41.2% to 51.4% and his three point percentage from 35.9% to 51.5%. Hield’s improvement on the offensive end is the main reason for Oklahoma’s 15-2 record this season. Hield ranks 2nd in the nation in scoring.
Denzel Valentine,
Michigan State (18.3 PTS, 7.6 REB, 6.6 AST, .454/.417/.818)
Valentine was the hottest player in the country at the start of the season. It seemed like he was posting a triple double every other game. But after missing four games and with his team struggling in the four games since his return (1-3) the hype has somewhat died down around Valentine. If Valentine is going to win the Naismith Award, the senior will need to regain his pre-procedure form and lead the Spartans to a good conference record and a high seed in the tournament. The 16-4 Spartans have a tough test this Saturday when they host Melo Trimble and the 7th ranked Terrapins.
Valentine was the hottest player in the country at the start of the season. It seemed like he was posting a triple double every other game. But after missing four games and with his team struggling in the four games since his return (1-3) the hype has somewhat died down around Valentine. If Valentine is going to win the Naismith Award, the senior will need to regain his pre-procedure form and lead the Spartans to a good conference record and a high seed in the tournament. The 16-4 Spartans have a tough test this Saturday when they host Melo Trimble and the 7th ranked Terrapins.
Ben Simmons, LSU (19.4
PTS, 12.8 REB, 5.1 AST, 55.3% FG, 73.6% FT)
Simmons is an all-around phenom and a monster rebounder. He still has a long way to go with his shot, but he is the best freshman in the country. Simmons is a long shot for this award, because LSU is a lower-tier tournament team, but he continues to put up great individual numbers and displays sharp instincts. Simmons’ all-around numbers will be enough to keep the future #1 pick in the player of the year discussion, but for him to have a legitimate chance the 11-7 Tigers need to improve their record.
Simmons is an all-around phenom and a monster rebounder. He still has a long way to go with his shot, but he is the best freshman in the country. Simmons is a long shot for this award, because LSU is a lower-tier tournament team, but he continues to put up great individual numbers and displays sharp instincts. Simmons’ all-around numbers will be enough to keep the future #1 pick in the player of the year discussion, but for him to have a legitimate chance the 11-7 Tigers need to improve their record.
Kris Dunn, Providence
(17.2 PTS, 6.2 REB, 6.7 AST, 2.9 STL, .464/.368/.681)
Dunn is one of the most explosive and versatile point guards in the country. He is an efficient outside shooter and can make plays in the paint that few point guards can. What makes Dunn so special is his exceptional vision and decision making. Dunn seems to always know where his teammates are and does an excellent job getting them involved. His passing is crisp and his ability to get in the lane collapses defenses allowing his teammates to get open. If Dunn can lead the 16-3 Friars to a Big East championship he will have a great chance to be named player of the year. Providence visits 4th ranked Villanova on Saturday.
Dunn is one of the most explosive and versatile point guards in the country. He is an efficient outside shooter and can make plays in the paint that few point guards can. What makes Dunn so special is his exceptional vision and decision making. Dunn seems to always know where his teammates are and does an excellent job getting them involved. His passing is crisp and his ability to get in the lane collapses defenses allowing his teammates to get open. If Dunn can lead the 16-3 Friars to a Big East championship he will have a great chance to be named player of the year. Providence visits 4th ranked Villanova on Saturday.
Melo Trimble,
Maryland (13.9 PTS, 5.7 AST, .467/.353/.878)
Trimble’s numbers aren’t going to blow you away, but if you’ve seen him play you understand why he is on this list. As a sophomore, Trimble is the unquestioned leader of a top-10 team. He’s the guy with the ball in his hands at the end of games, and he often comes through. The deep three buzzer-beater he drilled to defeat Wisconsin was one of the best plays of the year and if this was college football we would describe it with the overused fraise “Heisman moment.” Trimble can make a statement this weekend when his team faces off against Valentine and the struggling Spartans.
Trimble’s numbers aren’t going to blow you away, but if you’ve seen him play you understand why he is on this list. As a sophomore, Trimble is the unquestioned leader of a top-10 team. He’s the guy with the ball in his hands at the end of games, and he often comes through. The deep three buzzer-beater he drilled to defeat Wisconsin was one of the best plays of the year and if this was college football we would describe it with the overused fraise “Heisman moment.” Trimble can make a statement this weekend when his team faces off against Valentine and the struggling Spartans.
Honorable mention:
Khalil Felder, Oakland
Brice Johnson, North Carolina
Georges Niang, Iowa State
Perry Ellis, Kansas
Khalil Felder, Oakland
Brice Johnson, North Carolina
Georges Niang, Iowa State
Perry Ellis, Kansas
Image by Elsa/Getty Images
Grayson Gold-Garvey, On Twitter @TheGraygo
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