Louisville’s MBB Donovan Mitchell Among Top Candidates for Naismith Trophy

University of Louisville guard Donovan Mitchell is among the Top 30 players in consideration for the 2017 James. A. Naismith Trophy, presented to the nation’s most outstanding men’s college basketball player, in the list announced today.

 

Presented by the Atlanta Tipoff Club, Mitchell is among a nation-best seven ACC players on the list.  The 10 semifinalists for the national award will be announced March 1.

 

The Cardinals’ top scorer (15.0 ppg) in a balanced lineup, Mitchell is currently eighth in Ken Pomeroy’s national player of the year ratings.  He leads the ACC and ranks 16th in the nation in steals with 53 thefts this season (2.2 per game).

 

A 6-3 sophomore from Greenwich, Conn., Mitchell scored a career-high 29 points at Pittsburgh on Jan. 24 and enters Saturday’s 2 p.m. game against Miami needing 11 points for 600 in his career.  He was named the ACC and NCAA.com Player of the Week for games Jan. 23-29 when he averaged 28.5 points, five rebounds, four assists and shot 60 percent from the field, including 67 percent from the three-point line (12-of-18).

 

In his last 11 games, Mitchell has averaged 19.2 points 4.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.3 steals and made 32-of-74 three-pointers (.432).  Mitchell grabbed four steals in each of the last two games at Boston College and Virginia, the sixth time he had as many in a game this season.

 

The complete list of the Top 30 candidates is included below.

 

LAST FIRST CLASS POSITION SCHOOL CONFERENCE
Bacon Dwayne Sophomore G Florida State ACC
Ball Lonzo Freshman G UCLA Pac 12
Berry II Joel Junior G North Carolina ACC
Brooks Dillon Junior F Oregon Pac 12
Brunson Jalen Sophomore G Villanova Big East
Colson Bonzie Junior F Notre Dame ACC
Evans Jawun Sophomore PG Oklahoma State Big 12
Foster Marcus Junior G Creighton Big East
Fox De’Aaron Freshman G Kentucky SEC
Fultz Markelle Freshman G Washington Pac 12
Happ Ethan R-Sophomore F Wisconsin Big Ten
Hart Josh Senior G Villanova Big East
Jackson Josh Freshman G Kansas Big 12
Jackson Justin Junior F/G North Carolina ACC
Keene Marcus Junior G Central Michigan MAC
Kennard Luke Sophomore G Duke ACC
Landale Jock Junior C St. Mary’s West Coast
Leaf TJ Freshman F UCLA Pac 12
Markkanen Lauri Freshman F Arizona Pac 12
Mason III Frank Senior G Kansas Big 12
Mitchell Donovan Sophomore G Louisville ACC
Monk Malik Freshman G Kentucky SEC
Morris Monte Senior G Iowa State Big 12
Motley Jonathan Junior F Baylor Big 12
Peters Alec Senior F Valparaiso Horizon League
Smith Jr. Dennis Freshman G NC State ACC
Swanigan Caleb Sophomore F Purdue Big Ten
Thornwell Sindarius Senior G South Carolina SEC
Trimble Melo Junior G Maryland Big Ten
Williams-Goss Nigel R-Junior G Gonzaga West Coast

 

by Kenny Klein

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