The Naismith College Player of the Year award is an annual award hosted by the Atlanta Tipoff Club to the best male and female college basketball players in the United States. Named after James Naismith, a legendary basketball player, the award was initially awarded in 1969 to male players only, with the female category added in 1983. The process starts with a 50-player watchlist in November, as decided by a group of head coaches, administrators, and media representatives. The nominees are shortlisted to 30 players in February, and four finalists are chosen in March. The last winners are selected in April by a combination of votes from the selection committee and fans. The winners are awarded the Naismith Trophy.
As of March 2025, the award has honored 44 male athletes and 24 female athletes, with a few athletes winning more than once. Duke Blue Devils has won the most men's winners with eight, and UConn Huskies has the most women's winners with eleven awards won by seven different players. The forward position holds the record for the most Naismith Player of the Year Awards. As far as class standing goes, most awards have been won by juniors with freshmen having dominated the award more in recent times.
Who won the Naismith Award three times?
There are only two players who have won the Men’s Naismith Award thrice, Bill Walton in 1972, 1973, and 1974, and Ralph Sampson in 1981, 1982, and 1983. The only woman who has won the Naismith Award thrice is Cheryl Miller in 1984, 1985, and 1986.
Men:
| Player | College | Position | Class | Year Won |
| Bill Walton | UCLA | Center | Sophomore | 1972 |
| Bill Walton | UCLA | Center | Junior | 1973 |
| Bill Walton | UCLA | Center | Senior | 1974 |
| Ralph Sampson | Virginia | Center | Sophomore | 1981 |
| Ralph Sampson | Virginia | Center | Junior | 1982 |
| Ralph Sampson | Virginia | Center | Senior | 1983 |
Women:
| Player | College | Position | Class | Year Won |
| Cheryl Miller | USC | F/C | Sophomore | 1984 |
| Cheryl Miller | USC | F/C | Junior | 1985 |
| Cheryl Miller | USC | F/C | Senior | 1986 |
FAQs on Naismith Award
A. It is an annual award for the best men's and women's college basketball players.
A. Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) won the first award in 1969.
A. The women's award was first given in 1983 to Anne Donovan.
A. A panel of coaches, administrators, journalists, and fan votes determine the winner.
