The Naismith College Player of the Year award is an annual honor bestowed upon the most outstanding men's and women's college basketball players in the United States. Named after Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, this prestigious award recognizes excellence in athleticism, leadership, and sportsmanship.
The award has been presented to men since 1969, while the women's award was introduced in 1983. Winners are selected through a rigorous voting process involving journalists, coaches, and basketball experts nationwide.
Receiving the Naismith College Player of the Year award represents the pinnacle of achievement in collegiate basketball. It often serves as a precursor to successful professional careers in the NBA or WNBA. Past recipients include basketball legends such as Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, Diana Taurasi, and Breanna Stewart.
This accolade not only celebrates individual talent but also highlights the rich tradition and competitive spirit of college basketball in the United States.
Naismith College History
The Naismith College Player of the Year award, established in 1969 for men and expanded to include women in 1983, honors the most outstanding college basketball players annually. A selection process begins with a watchlist of 50 players chosen by a board of selectors, narrowing down to 30 based on performance. By March, four finalists emerge, ultimately determined by both board and fan voting. The winners, announced in April, receive the Naismith Trophy. Notable recipients include Lew Alcindor, Bill Walton, and Cheryl Miller. Duke boasts eight male winners, while UConn leads among females with eleven awards.
Naismith College Player of the Year Winner List
| Year | Player | College | Position | Class |
| 1969 | Lew Alcindor | UCLA | C | Senior |
| 1970 | Pete Maravich | LSU | G | Senior |
| 1971 | Austin Carr | Notre Dame | G | Senior |
| 1972 | Bill Walton | UCLA | C | Sophomore |
| 1973 | Bill Walton | UCLA | C | Junior |
| 1974 | Bill Walton | UCLA | C | Senior |
| 1975 | David Thompson | N.C. State | G | Senior |
| 1976 | Scott May | Indiana | F | Senior |
| 1977 | Marques Johnson | UCLA | F | Senior |
| 1978 | Butch Lee | Marquette | G | Senior |
| 1979 | Larry Bird | Indiana State | F | Senior |
| 1980 | Mark Aguirre | DePaul | F | Sophomore |
| 1981 | Ralph Sampson | Virginia | C | Sophomore |
| 1982 | Ralph Sampson | Virginia | C | Junior |
| 1983 | Ralph Sampson | Virginia | C | Senior |
| 1984 | Michael Jordan | North Carolina | G | Junior |
| 1985 | Patrick Ewing | Georgetown | C | Senior |
| 1986 | Johnny Dawkins | Duke | G | Senior |
| 1987 | David Robinson | Navy | C | Senior |
| 1988 | Danny Manning | Kansas | F | Senior |
| 1989 | Danny Ferry | Duke | F | Senior |
| 1990 | Lionel Simmons | La Salle | F | Senior |
| 1991 | Larry Johnson | UNLV | F | Senior |
| 1992 | Christian Laettner | Duke | F | Senior |
| 1993 | Calbert Cheaney | Indiana | G | Senior |
| 1994 | Glenn Robinson | Purdue | F | Junior |
| 1995 | Joe Smith | Maryland | F | Sophomore |
| 1996 | Marcus Camby | Massachusetts | C | Junior |
| 1997 | Tim Duncan | Wake Forest | C | Senior |
| 1998 | Antawn Jamison | North Carolina | F | Junior |
| 1999 | Elton Brand | Duke | F | Sophomore |
| 2000 | Kenyon Martin | Cincinnati | F | Senior |
| 2001 | Shane Battier | Duke | F | Senior |
| 2002 | Jason Williams | Duke | G | Junior |
| 2003 | T. J. Ford | Texas | G | Sophomore |
| 2004 | Jameer Nelson | Saint Joseph's | G | Senior |
| 2005 | Andrew Bogut | Utah | C | Sophomore |
| 2006 | JJ Redick | Duke | G | Senior |
| 2007 | Kevin Durant | Texas | F | Freshman |
| 2008 | Tyler Hansbrough | North Carolina | F | Junior |
| 2009 | Blake Griffin | Oklahoma | F | Sophomore |
| 2010 | Evan Turner | Ohio State | G | Junior |
| 2011 | Jimmer Fredette | Brigham Young | G | Senior |
| 2012 | Anthony Davis | Kentucky | C | Freshman |
| 2013 | Trey Burke | Michigan | G | Sophomore |
| 2014 | Doug McDermott | Creighton | F | Senior |
| 2015 | Frank Kaminsky | Wisconsin | F | Senior |
| 2016 | Buddy Hield | Oklahoma | G | Senior |
| 2017 | Frank Mason III | Kansas | G | Senior |
| 2018 | Jalen Brunson | Villanova | G | Junior |
| 2019 | Zion Williamson | Duke | F | Freshman |
| 2020 | Obi Toppin | Dayton | F | Sophomore |
| 2021 | Luka Garza | Iowa | C | Senior |
| 2022 | Oscar Tshiebwe | Kentucky | C | Junior |
| 2023 | Zach Edey | Purdue | C | Junior |
FAQ's On Naismith College Player of the Year Winner List
A. The Naismith College Player of the Year award recognizes the most outstanding men's and women's college basketball players in the United States.
A. A watchlist of 50 players is chosen before the season by a board of selectors, narrowed down to 30 based on performance. From there, four finalists are selected in March, with winners determined by a combination of board and fan voting in April.
A. Lew Alcindor of UCLA and Anne Donovan of Old Dominion University were the inaugural winners in 1969 and 1983, respectively.
A. Bill Walton of UCLA and Ralph Sampson of the University of Virginia have won the award three times, while eight women have won it multiple times.
A. Yes, international players are eligible. Notable winners born outside the United States include Andrew Bogut (Australia), Patrick Ewing (Jamaica), and Buddy Hield (Bahamas).
