The James Naismith Award is the most prestigious player of the year award in college basketball. Players deserving of such on honor not only have crazy game and can put up big numbers, they are usually leaders on the court as well. Here are five candidates for player of the year honors.
John Jenkins – Vanderbilt Commodores
The 6’4″ guard became the all-time leading sophomore scorer at Vanderbilt when he averaged 19.5 points per game last season. Jenkins made the final 12 players for the 2011 USA Men’s World University Games Team. Originally, 22 were invited to try out. He is the real deal.
Jordan Taylor – Wisconsin Badgers
If Wisconsin can do better than a top-three finish in the Big Ten and go a little deeper than the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA tournament, Jordan Taylor should have his name on the list of candidates for the Naismith award. Taylor scored 18.1 points per game while dishing out 4.7 assists for the Badgers last season.
Tim Abromaitis – Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Without Big East Player of the Year Ben Hasborough, Tyrone Nash and Carleton Scott, Tim Abromaitis will be the goto guy for the Fighting Irish next season. But as a fifth-year senior, he has all the experience in the world. Abromaitis averaged 15.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game last season. He is currently with Team USA getting ready for the world university games in China.
Harrison Barnes – North Carolina Tar Heels
Barnes is a man on a mission next season. Instead of entering into the NBA draft, he went to the Deron Williams basketball camp as well as the Chris Paul camp for point guards. He turned down USA U19 to work on his game. The guy wants to immortalize himself among the North Carolina greats and this could be his season to do it.
Tu Holloway – Xavier Musketeers
Last season Tu Holloway averaged 19.7 points, five rebounds and 5.4 assists as Xavier finished with a loss to Marquette in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Holloway is a speedy six-foot guard who will play a key role in helping the Musketeers making a run in the NCAA tournament.
