Keita Bates-Diop's incredible year continues.
The redshirt junior was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Naismith Player of the Year award, which is given to the best player in Div. I college basketball each season and is widely viewed as the most prestigious individual award in college hoops.
Bates-Diop was named the Big Ten Player of the Year on Monday following a season in which he averaged 19.2 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. He was also one of two unanimous choices for the first-team All-Big Ten squad, joining Michigan State's Miles Bridges.
The Normal, Ill. native was named to the Naismith late season watch list Feb. 14, prior to Ohio State dropping back-to-back games against Penn State and Michigan. He closed the regular season however, by dropping 24 points and collecting 14 rebounds in a double-overtime victory over Indiana on Friday.
The last, and only Buckeye to win the Naismith award was Evan Turner, who took home the trophy in 2010. Turner was also named the Big Ten Player of the Year that season.
| NAME | CLASS | POSITION | SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deandre Ayton | Fr. | Forward | Arizona |
| Marvin Bagley III | Fr. | Forward | Duke |
| Keita Bates-Diop | Jr. | Forward | Ohio State |
| Trevon Bluiett | Sr. | Guard | Xavier |
| Miles Bridges | So. | G/F | Michigan State |
| Jalen Brunson | Jr. | Guard | Villanova |
| Keenan Evans | Sr. | Guard | Texas Tech |
| Devonte Graham | Sr. | Guard | Kansas |
| Jock Landale | Sr. | Center | St. Mary's |
| Trae Young | Fr. | Guard | Oklahoma |
