Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Purdue’s Edey, Houston’s Sasser and Kentucky’s Tshiebwe among contenders for Naismith Defensive award
By ROB ROSE
The watch list for the 2023 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year was released on Wednesday and included several of the sport’s top players.
Houston senior Guard Marcus Sasser averaged 2 steals per game, Purdue junior Zach Edey averaged 2.3 blocks per game and Kentucky senior Oscar Tshiebwe led the NCAA with 14 rebounds per game.
Indiana senior forward Trayce Jackson-Davis received the honor after he was third in the NCAA in blocks per game at 3.2.
UCLA junior guard Jaylen Clark joined them on the list after he averaged 2.7 steals per game, tied for sixth in the NCAA with Northwestern senior guard Chase Audige.
The full 2023 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year watch list is below:
