Naismith Trophy announces 10 semifinalists for 2023 Player of the Year award

The Naismith Trophy has announced the 10 semifinalists for the 2023 Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year.

They range from six different conferences with the Big Ten, Pac-12 and Big 12 the only conferences to have two representatives.

The list is highlighted by Big Ten Player of the Year and Purdue center Zach Edey; Pac-12 Player of the Year and UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr.; SEC Player of the Year and Alabama forward Brandon Miller; and Big 12 Player of the Year and Kansas forward Jalen Wilson.

Edey is the favorite to win the award. The 7-foot-4 junior averaged 21.9 points, 12.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game during the regular season while shooting 61.1% from the field. The Boilermakers won the Big Ten regular season title and finished with a 26-5 record.

He is second in the country in rebounding and eighth in the country in scoring.

The last two awards winners have been dominant post players like Edey. Last year’s Player of the Year Oscar Tshiebwe of Kentucky was not nominated for the award this season. ACC Player of the Year and Miami guard Isaiah Wong was the only Power Five Player of the Year not to make the list.

2023 Naismith Trophy semifinalists

Purdue center Zach Edey

Indiana forward Trayce Jackson-Davis

UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Kansas State forward Keyontae Johnson

Marquette guard Tyler Kolek

Alabama forward Brandon Miller

Houston guard Marcus Sasser

Gonzaga center Drew Timme

Arizona forward Ąžuolas Tubelis

Kansas forward Jalen Wilson

🚨 ATTENTION 🚨: Introducing the 2023 @jerseymikes Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year Semifinalists‼️ pic.twitter.com/LjJDX6w1JC

— Naismith Awards (@NaismithTrophy) March 10, 2023