Zach Edey Makes History: Back-to-Back Naismith Player of the Year Wins - Full List of Past Winners

The Prestigious Naismith Award: Honoring College Basketball's Elite

The Naismith Men's College Player of the Year award stands as the highest individual honor in NCAA basketball, recognizing the nation's most outstanding player each season. The selection process involves a prestigious voting panel comprising NCAA head coaches, respected administrators, and veteran media members. The winner receives the iconic Naismith Trophy, cementing their place in college basketball history.

2025 Winner: Duke's Phenomenal Freshman

In a remarkable achievement, Duke freshman Cooper Flagg claimed the 2025 Naismith Trophy after leading the Blue Devils to the Final Four in his debut collegiate season. The 6'9" forward showcased exceptional two-way play, averaging 18.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting 54% from the field.

Historic Back-to-Back Achievement

Purdue center Zach Edey made Naismith Award history in 2023 and 2024, becoming only the second player ever to win the honor in consecutive seasons. The 7'4" Canadian star dominated college basketball for two straight years, averaging:

• 2023: 22.3 ppg, 12.9 rpg, 2.1 bpg
• 2024: 24.1 ppg, 13.7 rpg, 2.3 bpg

Complete List of Naismith Award Winners

Here's the full chronology of men awarded college basketball's highest honor:

Early Years (1969-1990)

• 1969: Lew Alcindor (UCLA) - The future Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
• 1970: "Pistol" Pete Maravich (LSU) - NCAA's all-time scoring leader
• 1971-74: Bill Walton wins 3 of 4 years (UCLA)
• 1975: David Thompson (NC State) - Dunk pioneer

Modern Era Highlights

• 1984: Michael Jordan (UNC) before NBA stardom
• 1992: Christian Laettner (Duke) - March Madness legend
• 2008: Tyler Hansbrough (UNC) - Four-year superstar
• 2019: Zion Williamson (Duke) - Athletic phenomenon

Recent Winners (2020-Present)

What Makes the Naismith Award Special?

The Naismith differs from other player awards in several key aspects:

1. Historical Prestige - Named after basketball inventor Dr. James Naismith
2. Comprehensive Voting Panel - Includes coaches, media, and administrators
3. Season-Long Evaluation - Rewards consistent excellence
4. Team Success Factor - Most winners reach NCAA Tournament's later rounds

Future Contenders to Watch

Several young stars are already generating Naismith buzz for 2026:

• Cameron Boozer (Duke) - McDonald's All-American
• A.J. Dybantsa (Undecided) - Top-ranked recruit
• Dylan Harper (Rutgers) - Elite scoring guard

For complete coverage of college basketball awards, rankings, and analysis, visit ESPN's NCAA Basketball Hub.