Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award explained

The Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award is an annual basketball award given to the most outstanding defensive player in men's and women's college basketball.^[1] It has been awarded by the Atlanta Tipoff Club since 2018 and is named in honor of James Naismith, the inventor of the sport.^[1]

Key

*	Awarded a national player of the year award: Men – Sporting News; Oscar Robertson Trophy; Associated Press; NABC; Naismith; Wooden Women – Wade; Associated Press; Naismith; Wooden
Player (X)	Denotes the number of times the player has been awarded the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year at that point

Winners

Reference 2017–18 West Virginia PG [2] 2018–19 Washington SG [3] 2019–20 Kansas SG [4] 2020–21 Baylor PG [5] 2021–22 Auburn C [6] 2022–23 UCLA SG [7] 2023–24 Houston PG [8]

Reference 2017–18 Mississippi State C [9] 2018–19 California PF / C [10] 2019–20 Baylor SG [11] 2020–21 Oklahoma State SF [12] 2021–22 South Carolina PF / C [13] 2022–23 (2) South Carolina PF / C [14] 2023–24 Stanford C [15]

Notes and References

1. Web site: The Naismith Awards – History . . 2024 . NaismithTrophy.com . Atlanta Tipoff Club . August 22, 2024.
2. News: Cobb. David. Carter learning from Conley . . . December 20, 2018 . 13. Newspapers.com. August 22, 2024.
3. News: Kirschman. Lauren. UW's Thybulle named Naismith Defensive Player of the Year . . . April 8, 2019 . C1. Newspapers.com . August 22, 2024.
4. News: Bedore. Gary. KU's Garrett is Naismith defensive player of year . . . April 2, 2020 . B1. Newspapers.com . August 22, 2024.
5. News: Werner. John. Mitchell named defensive player of year . . . April 3, 2021 . 16. Newspapers.com . August 22, 2024.
6. News: Durando. Bennett. Auburn's Kessler wins Naismith Defensive Player of the Year . . . April 4, 2022 . B3. Newspapers.com . August 22, 2024.
7. News: Zach Edey, Jerome Tang, Jaylen Clark win Naismith awards . . . April 4, 2023 . B2. Newspapers.com . August 22, 2024.
8. News: Criswell . Josh . April 7, 2024 . Naismith Awards: Jamal Shead makes Houston history with latest honor . . . August 22, 2024.
9. News: Miller. Brody. Stopping McCowan 'A tall order' . . . April 1, 2018 . C2. Newspapers.com . August 22, 2024.
10. News: Stacy. Kelli. Getting to know first-round pick Anigwe . . . April 25, 2019 . C1. Newspapers.com . August 22, 2024.
11. News: Conine. Chad. Richards claims another 'pretty darn special' defensive honor . Waco Tribune-Herald . Waco, Texas . April 2, 2020 . 9. Newspapers.com . August 22, 2024.
12. News: OSU's Mack wins second defensive player of the year honor . . . April 3, 2021 . C2. Newspapers.com . August 22, 2024.
13. News: Diaz. Cory. USC's Boston named Naismith POTY . . . April 1, 2022 . C1. Newspapers.com . August 22, 2024.
14. News: Holloway. Jeremiah. Aliyah Boston declares for WNBA Draft . . . April 3, 2023 . B1. Newspapers.com . August 22, 2024.
15. News: Nhi Nguyen. Thuc. WNBA draft suspense begins after Clark . . . April 15, 2024 . B2. Newspapers.com . August 22, 2024.