NABC Player of the Year

NABC Player of the Year
Awarded forthe most outstanding men's basketball players in all levels of competition
CountryUnited States
Presented byNABC
State Farm Insurance
History
First award1975
Most recentNCAA DI: Zach Edey, Purdue
NCAA DII: KJ Jones II, Emmanuel
NCAA DIII: Logan Pearson, Wisconsin–Platteville
NAIA: Elijah Moore, Grace
Two-year schools: Jemel Jones, South Suburban
WebsiteOfficial website

The NABC Player of the Year is an award given annually by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) to recognize the top player in men's college basketball across the three largest college athletic associations in the United States. The award has been given since the 1974–75 season to National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I basketball players, and since the 1982–83 season to its Division II and Division III players. The award has been given since the 2007–08 season to National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and to two-year schools' players. The awards have previously been sponsored by State Farm Insurance.

At NCAA Division I, Duke has the most all-time awards with six and the most separate recipients with five. Their rival, North Carolina, as well as Kansas are tied for second in both awards and individual recipients, with four each. There have been three ties for NABC Player of the Year (2002, 2004, 2006), and only three players have won the award multiple times (Jason Williams, Ralph Sampson, and Zach Edey, with Sampson and Edey having been the sole winner of two awards).

At NCAA Division II, Virginia Union leads for most awards with four and individual recipients with three. It is followed by Florida Southern, Kentucky Wesleyan, Metro State, Northwest Missouri State, and Winona State with three awards each. Among these schools, Northwest Missouri and Winona State each have one two-time recipient. Only one tie has occurred (2006), while four players have won the award more than once (Stan Gouard, Earl Jones, John Smith, and Trevor Hudgins).

At NCAA Division III, three programs are tied for the most awards—Amherst, Cabrini, and Potsdam State. Each has had one two-time recipient. Four other programs have had two recipients—Calvin, Guilford, Otterbein, and Wittenberg. There have been two ties (2007, 2010) and four repeat winners (Leroy Witherspoon, Andrew Olson, Aaron Walton-Moss and Joey Flannery).

At the NAIA, the NABC presented a single award in the 2007–08 season, even though the NAIA had held separate Division I and Division II national championships since 1992. The following season, the NABC began presenting separate awards in Divisions I and II, and continued to do so through the 2019–20 season. After that season, the NAIA eliminated its basketball divisions, returning to a single championship for all members, and the NABC accordingly returned to a presenting a single NAIA award. During the divisional era, Division I member Georgetown (KY) received the most awards and had the most individual recipients, with three each. The only player to have won more than one Division I award is Dominique Rambo of SAGU, who shared the 2013 award and was sole recipient in 2014. The only other school with more than one D-I recipient is Oklahoma Baptist with two. The only player with more than one Division II award is Dominez Burnett, who received two awards with Davenport. Two other programs, Northwood (FL) (now Keiser) and Oklahoma Wesleyan, had two D-II recipients. One other player received the award in both the divisional and non-divisional eras: Kyle Mangas of Indiana Wesleyan received the final Division II award in 2020 and the single award in 2021.

At two-year schools, every winner has been a sophomore and had gone on to play at an NCAA Division I school after their community college careers ended until 2020. Jay Scrubb, that year's winner, hired an agent and declared for the 2020 NBA draft, thereby forgoing his remaining collegiate eligibility. He had committed to Louisville prior to renouncing that decision to enter the NBA draft pool.

Key

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Co-Players of the Year
Player (X) Denotes the number of times the player has received the player of the year award

NCAA

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Division I

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David Thompson of North Carolina State won the first award in 1975.
Danny Ainge of BYU won in 1981.
Emeka Okafor shared the award in 2004, also leading UConn to the national title.
Kevin Durant of Texas was the first freshman to win the award, in 2007.
In 2022, Oscar Tshiebwe became the first player from Kentucky to win the award.
Season Player School Position Class
1974–75 David Thompson NC State SG / SF Senior
1975–76 Scott May Indiana F Senior
1976–77 Marques Johnson UCLA G / F Senior
1977–78 Phil Ford North Carolina PG Senior
1978–79 Larry Bird Indiana State SF Senior
1979–80 Michael Brooks La Salle F Senior
1980–81 Danny Ainge BYU SG Senior
1981–82 Ralph Sampson Virginia C Junior
1982–83 Ralph Sampson (2) Virginia C Senior
1983–84 Michael Jordan North Carolina SG Junior
1984–85 Patrick Ewing Georgetown C Senior
1985–86 Walter Berry St. John's PF Senior
1986–87 David Robinson Navy C Senior
1987–88 Danny Manning Kansas PF Senior
1988–89 Sean Elliott Arizona SF Senior
1989–90 Lionel Simmons La Salle SF Senior
1990–91 Larry Johnson UNLV PF Senior
1991–92 Christian Laettner Duke PF Senior
1992–93 Calbert Cheaney Indiana SF Senior
1993–94 Glenn Robinson Purdue SF / PF Sophomore
1994–95 Shawn Respert Michigan State SG Senior
1995–96 Marcus Camby UMass C Junior
1996–97 Tim Duncan Wake Forest C Senior
1997–98 Antawn Jamison North Carolina SF Junior
1998–99 Elton Brand Duke C Sophomore
1999–00 Kenyon Martin Cincinnati PF Senior
2000–01 Jay Williams Duke PG Sophomore
2001–02 Drew Gooden Kansas C Junior
Jay Williams (2) Duke PG Junior
2002–03 Nick Collison Kansas PF Senior
2003–04 Jameer Nelson Saint Joseph's PG Senior
Emeka Okafor UConn C Junior
2004–05 Andrew Bogut Utah C Sophomore
2005–06 Adam Morrison Gonzaga SF Junior
JJ Redick Duke SG Senior
2006–07 Kevin Durant Texas SF Freshman
2007–08 Tyler Hansbrough North Carolina PF Junior
2008–09 Blake Griffin Oklahoma PF Sophomore
2009–10 Evan Turner Ohio State SF Junior
2010–11 Jimmer Fredette BYU PG Senior
2011–12 Draymond Green Michigan State PF Senior
2012–13 Trey Burke Michigan PG Sophomore
2013–14 Doug McDermott Creighton SF Senior
2014–15 Frank Kaminsky Wisconsin PF / C Senior
2015–16 Denzel Valentine Michigan State SG Senior
2016–17 Frank Mason III Kansas PG Senior
2017–18 Jalen Brunson Villanova PG Junior
2018–19 Zion Williamson Duke SF / PF Freshman
2019–20 Obi Toppin Dayton PF Sophomore
2020–21 Luka Garza Iowa C Senior
2021–22 Oscar Tshiebwe Kentucky C Junior
2022–23 Zach Edey Purdue C Junior
2023–24 Zach Edey (2) Purdue C Senior

Division II

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Charles Oakley won in 1985 and later became an NBA All-Star while playing for the New York Knicks.
Braydon Hobbs won the award in 2012 with Bellarmine.
Zach Hankins won the award in 2018 with Ferris State.
Season Player School Position Class
1982–83 Earl Jones District of Columbia C Junior
1983–84 Earl Jones (2) District of Columbia C Senior
1984–85 Charles Oakley Virginia Union PF Senior
1985–86 Todd Linder Tampa SF Junior
1986–87 Ralph Tally Norfolk State PG Senior
1987–88 Jerry Johnson Florida Southern PG Senior
1988–89 Kris Kearney Florida Southern F Senior
1989–90 A. J. English Virginia Union SG Senior
1990–91 Corey Crowder Kentucky Wesleyan SF / SG Senior
1991–92 Eric Manuel Oklahoma City SF Senior
1992–93 Alex Wright Central Oklahoma SG Senior
1993–94 Derrick Johnson Virginia Union C / PF Senior
1994–95 Stan Gouard Southern Indiana G Junior
1995–96 Stan Gouard (2) Southern Indiana G Senior
1996–97 Kebu Stewart Cal State Bakersfield PF Senior
1997–98 Joe Newton Central Oklahoma PG / SG Senior
1998–99 Antonio García Kentucky Wesleyan F Senior
1999–00 Ajumu Gaines Charleston (WV) PG Senior
2000–01 Colin Ducharme Longwood PF Senior
2001–02 Ronald Murray Shaw SG / PG Senior
2002–03 Marlon Parmer Kentucky Wesleyan PG Senior
2003–04 Elad Inbar UMass Lowell F Senior
2004–05 Mark Worthington Metro State F Senior
2005–06 Darius Hargrove Virginia Union SG / SF Senior
Turner Trofholz South Dakota PF Senior
2006–07 John Smith Winona State C Junior
2007–08 John Smith (2) Winona State C Senior
2008–09 Josh Bostic Findlay SF Senior
2009–10 Jason Westrol Bentley PG Senior
2010–11 Darryl Webb Indiana (PA) F Senior
2011–12 Braydon Hobbs Bellarmine PG Senior
2012–13 Clayton Vette Winona State PF Senior
2013–14 Brandon Jefferson Metro State PG Senior
2014–15 Mitch McCarron Metro State SG Senior
2015–16 Dan Jansen Augustana (SD) PF Senior
2016–17 Justin Pitts Northwest Missouri State PG Junior
2017–18 Zach Hankins Ferris State C Junior
2018–19 Daulton Hommes Point Loma Nazarene G Junior
2019–20 Brett Hanson Florida Southern G Senior
2020–21 Trevor Hudgins Northwest Missouri State G Junior
2021–22 Trevor Hudgins (2) Northwest Missouri State G Senior
2022–23 RJ Sunahara Nova Southeastern F Junior
2023–24 KJ Jones II Emmanuel PG Senior

Division III

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Jimmy Bartolotta was the first recipient to play for MIT. He was the Division III Player of the Year in 2008–09.
Season Player School Position Class
1982–83 Leroy Witherspoon Potsdam State PG Junior
1983–84 Leroy Witherspoon (2) Potsdam State PG Senior
1984–85 Tim Casey Wittenberg G Senior
1985–86 Dick Hempy Otterbein G Junior
1986–87 Brendan Mitchell Potsdam State SF Senior
1987–88 Scott Tedder Ohio Wesleyan SF / SG Senior
1988–89 Greg Grant TCNJ PG Senior
1989–90 Matt Hancock Colby SG Senior
1990–91 Brad Baldridge Wittenberg C Senior
1991–92 Andre Foreman Salisbury State PF Senior
1992–93 Steve Hondred Calvin C Senior
1993–94 Scott Fitch SUNY Geneseo G Senior
1994–95 D'Artis Jones Ohio Northern SG Senior
1995–96 David Benter Hanover F Senior
1996–97 Bryan Crabtree Illinois Wesleyan SF Senior
1997–98 Mike Nogelo Williams F Senior
1998–99 Merrill Brunson Wisconsin–Platteville PG / SG Junior
1999–00 Aaron Winkle Calvin PF Senior
2000–01 Horace Jenkins William Paterson PG Senior
2001–02 Jeff Gibbs Otterbein F Senior
2002–03 Bryan Nelson Wooster F Senior
2003–04 Richard Melzer Wisconsin–River Falls F Senior
2004–05 Jason Kalsow Wisconsin–Stevens Point PF Junior
2005–06 Brandon Adair Virginia Wesleyan SF Junior
2006–07 Andrew Olson Amherst PG Junior
Ben Strong Guilford C Junior
2007–08 Andrew Olson (2) Amherst PG Senior
2008–09 Jimmy Bartolotta MIT SG Senior
2009–10 Tyler Sanborn Guilford C Senior
2010–11 Michael Taylor Whitworth SG Senior
2011–12 Chris Davis Wisconsin–Whitewater PF Senior
2012–13 Aaron Toomey Amherst PG Junior
2013–14 Aaron Walton-Moss Cabrini PG Junior
2014–15 Aaron Walton-Moss (2) Cabrini PG Senior
2015–16 Joey Flannery Babson PG Junior
2016–17 Joey Flannery (2) Babson PG Senior
2017–18 Tyheim Monroe Cabrini PF Senior
2018–19 Booker Coplin Augsburg SG Junior
2019–20 Nate West LeTourneau PG Senior
2020–21 Not presented; no D-III championship was held due to COVID-19 disruptions
2021–22 Ryan Turell Yeshiva SG Senior
2022–23 Tyson Cruickshank Wheaton (IL) PG Graduate
2023–24 Logan Pearson Wisconsin–Platteville F Graduate

NAIA

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In 2008–09, the NABC began presenting separate awards for players of the year in NAIA Divisions I and II. In 2020–21, the NAIA removed its divisional classifications.

Divisional era (2009–2020)

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Division I
Season Player School Position Class
2008–09 Geoff Payne Westminster F Senior
2009–10 Nate Brumfield Oklahoma Baptist F Senior
2010–11 Justin Johnson Concordia Irvine G Senior
2011–12 Emmanuel Wilson Oklahoma Baptist G Senior
2012–13 Vic Moses Georgetown (KY) F Senior
Dominique Rambo SAGU G Junior
2013–14 Dominique Rambo (2) SAGU G Senior
2014–15 Kenny Manigault Pikeville SG / SF Senior
2015–16 Deondre McWhorter Georgetown (KY) PF Senior
2016–17 Delarian Williams Life F Senior
2017–18 Ryan Imhoff Carroll (MT) SG Senior
2018–19 Jeff Garrett LSU–Shreveport PF Senior
2019–20 Chris Coffey Georgetown (KY) PF Senior
Division II
Season Player School Position Class
2008–09 William Walker Bethel (IN) F Senior
2009–10 Steve Briggs Oklahoma Wesleyan G Senior
2010–11 Sadiel Rojas Oklahoma Wesleyan F Senior
2011–12 Jonathan Dunn Northwood G Senior
2012–13 Ra'Shad James Northwood G Senior
2013–14 Joe Mitchell Friends G Senior
2014–15 Dominez Burnett Davenport F Junior
2015–16 Dominez Burnett (2) Davenport F Senior
2016–17 Warren Hall Warner PG Senior
2017–18 Kyle Steigenga Cornerstone F Senior
2018–19 Cameron Hunt Southwestern (KA) PG Senior
2019–20 Kyle Mangas Indiana Wesleyan G Junior

Non-divisional era (2008; 2021–present)

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Season Player School Position Class
2007–08 Ryan Fiegi Oregon Tech G Senior
2020–21 Kyle Mangas (2) Indiana Wesleyan G Senior
2021–22 Zach Wrightsil Loyola (LA) SG / SF Senior
2022–23 Mason Walters Jamestown (ND) F Senior
2023–24 Elijah Moore Grace C Senior

Two-year schools

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Since community college players only attend for two years, these players are only either freshmen or sophomores. Afterwards, they move on to a four-year university to finish their last two seasons of NCAA eligibility. The University column reflects which team these players would play for following their junior college careers.

Season Player Two-year college Position Class University
2007–08 Jeremie Simmons Mott G Sophomore Ohio State
2008–09 Nafis Ricks Johnson County G Sophomore Missouri State
2009–10 Jae Crowder Howard (TX) F Sophomore Marquette
2010–11 Kiel Turpin Lincoln (IL) C Sophomore Florida State
2011–12 Cleanthony Early SUNY Sullivan PF Sophomore Wichita State
2012–13 Chris Jones Northwest Florida State G Sophomore Louisville
2013–14 Kadeem Allen Hutchinson G Sophomore Arizona
2014–15 Brandon Brown Phoenix G Sophomore Loyola Marymount
2015–16 Kavell Bigby-Williams Gillette F Sophomore Oregon
2016–17 Shakur Juiston Hutchinson F Sophomore UNLV
2017–18 Charles Jones Jr. College of Southern Idaho G Sophomore Utah
2018–19 Chris Duarte Northwest Florida State G Sophomore Oregon
2019–20 Jay Scrubb John A. Logan G Sophomore None[n 1]
2020–21 Malevy Leons Mineral Area F Sophomore Bradley
2021–22 Damarco Minor South Suburban G Sophomore SIU Edwardsville
2022–23 Curt Lewis John A. Logan G Sophomore Missouri
2023–24 Jemel Jones South Suburban G Sophomore Cal State Bakersfield

See also

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ On March 25, 2020, Scrubb declared for the 2020 NBA draft while maintaining his eligibility and did not immediately sign with an agent.[1] On April 9, he announced that he would sign with an agent and forgo his remaining college basketball eligibility.[2] Scrubb had previously committed to play for Louisville prior to changing his decision.

References

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  1. ^ Daniels, Evan (March 25, 2020). "Louisville commit Jay Scrubb declares for the NBA Draft". 247Sports. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  2. ^ Daniels, Evan (April 9, 2020). "JUCO standout and Louisville commit Jay Scrubb signs with agent". 247Sports. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
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