Midseason Watch List Announced for 2019 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award

POSTED: January 22, 2019 -- 1:12 p.m. CST

The Atlanta Tipoff Club announced today the midseason watch list of players in contention for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award. The list includes 15 men's college basketball players whose defensive efforts on the court have set them apart from the pack.

"Defense makes up a huge part of every win in college basketball, and we're excited to recognize those who defend the hardwood," said Eric Oberman, executive director of the Atlanta Tipoff Club. "These players represent on-court toughness and a defensive tenacity that make them worthy of consideration for this award."

With seven conferences represented on the list, the Big Ten leads defensively with four players chosen, and close behind with three players represented is the Big 12, whose Jevon Carter of West Virginia won the inaugural award. Texas Tech is the only team to have two players included on the list. Players not on the Midseason Watch List are still eligible to be selected as award semifinalists, which will be announced in February.

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