Caleb McConnell Selected as 2022 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Semifinalist
Mar 01 | Men's Basketball
PISCATAWAY. N.J. – Rutgers men's basketball's senior guard Caleb McConnell has been selected as a semifinalist for the 2022 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award.
10 players were announced as semifinalists for the award by the Atlanta Club Tipoff on Tuesday.
"Caleb McConnell being a semifinalist is just an unbelievable accomplishment," head coach Steve Pikiell said. "He came into our program with a lot of upside and is a guy that has gotten better and stronger. It's a hard thing to do because you come into college as a scorer and you really have to buy into it. I truly believe he is the best defender in the country."
McConnell is having a stellar season on defense with 65 steals, which is currently seventh in the nation.
McConnell leads the Big Ten Conference in steals and leads in steals-per-game (2.32).
He had a legendary streak of four games of over four+ steals to key wins over No. 13 Michigan State (four) and No. 16 Ohio State (four), No. 13 Wisconsin (six) and No. 12 Illinois (four).
His 21 steals over a five game stretch tied him for second most in the Big Ten since 2002-03.
His unforgettable chase-down block to deny a breakaway layup against OSU sparked a 10-0 run for the team to close the game. He tied a career-high with six steals twice this season against Wisconsin and UMass. The winner of the award will be announced on April 3rd.
The full list of players nominated for the award is below:
The Rutgers men's basketball team supported their teammate in his bid for the award as well as the Big Ten Conference 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Award:
10 players were announced as semifinalists for the award by the Atlanta Club Tipoff on Tuesday.
"Caleb McConnell being a semifinalist is just an unbelievable accomplishment," head coach Steve Pikiell said. "He came into our program with a lot of upside and is a guy that has gotten better and stronger. It's a hard thing to do because you come into college as a scorer and you really have to buy into it. I truly believe he is the best defender in the country."
McConnell is having a stellar season on defense with 65 steals, which is currently seventh in the nation.
McConnell leads the Big Ten Conference in steals and leads in steals-per-game (2.32).
He had a legendary streak of four games of over four+ steals to key wins over No. 13 Michigan State (four) and No. 16 Ohio State (four), No. 13 Wisconsin (six) and No. 12 Illinois (four).
His 21 steals over a five game stretch tied him for second most in the Big Ten since 2002-03.
His unforgettable chase-down block to deny a breakaway layup against OSU sparked a 10-0 run for the team to close the game. He tied a career-high with six steals twice this season against Wisconsin and UMass. The winner of the award will be announced on April 3rd.
The full list of players nominated for the award is below:
| Tari Eason | So. | F | LSU | SEC |
| Jacob Gilyard | Sr. | G | Richmond | Atlantic 10 |
| Chet Holmgren | Fr. | C | Gonzaga | WCC |
| Walker Kessler | So. | F | Auburn | SEC |
| Christian Koloko | Jr. | C | Arizona | Pac-12 |
| Caleb McConnell | Sr. | G | Rutgers | Big Ten |
| Kevin McCullar | Jr. | G | Texas Tech | Big 12 |
| Jamarion Sharp | Jr. | C | Western Kentucky | USA East |
| Oscar Tshiebwe | Jr. | F | Kentucky | SEC |
| Mark Williams | So. | C | Duke | ACC |
The Rutgers men's basketball team supported their teammate in his bid for the award as well as the Big Ten Conference 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Award:
Caleb McConnell is OUR Defensive Player of the Year on and off the court 🤣🤣🤣
— Rutgers Basketball 🏀 (@RutgersMBB) February 28, 2022
Vote @caleb_mcco for D.P.O.Y.‼️⛓️#GardenStatement🛡️⚔️ pic.twitter.com/yy3FvxZpfg
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