What is the Naismith Trophy?
The Naismith Trophy is awarded annually to the most outstanding men's and women's college basketball players in the United States. It is presented by the Atlanta Tipoff Club — since 1969 for men and 1983 for women — and named for basketball's inventor, James Naismith, who devised the game in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1891. The same body also names a Naismith Coach of the Year and a Defensive Player of the Year.[1] [2]
How is the winner chosen?
Through a published sequence: a preseason watch list, a midseason cut, a final four of candidates, then a vote of the Atlanta Tipoff Club's national board of selectors — coaches, administrators and media — with a fan vote folded in. The winner is announced during the Final Four. The NABC, the Associated Press and the Wooden Award run parallel player-of-the-year honours, and the four do not always agree.[1] [3]
Who won it most recently?
Duke freshman Cameron Boozer won the 2026 men's Naismith Trophy after averaging 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds a game — the fifth freshman ever to win the award, and the third from Duke after Zion Williamson and Cooper Flagg.[2] [4]
Why does it matter?
Because the field is every player in NCAA basketball — some 5,000 in Division I alone across more than 350 programmes — and one man and one woman are chosen from it each season by a national board. Alongside All-America selection and conference player of the year honours, it is the top of the college basketball award structure.[1] [2]
References
- Naismith Awards — official site. Accessed August 2026.
- Naismith Awards — 2026 Naismith Men's Award winners. Accessed August 2026.
- Basketball Reference — Naismith Award winners. Accessed August 2026.
- Duke University — Boozer adds Naismith Trophy. Accessed August 2026.