DURHAM, N.C. – The Atlanta Tipoff Club has announced Duke sophomore Tre Jones as one of 10 national semifinalists for the 2020 Naismith Men’s Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Regarded as one the nation’s best on-ball defenders, Jones is averaging 1.7 steals per game, while on the perimeter Duke is limiting opponents to a .301 mark from three-point range — fourth in the ACC and 12th among power conference teams.
The Apple Valley, Minn., native is the only player in the nation averaging at least 16.0 points (16.1), 6.0 assists (6.5) and 1.5 steals (1.7), shooting .430 from the field (.433) and averaging better than a 2.0 assist/turnover ratio (2.3). He is the only player ranked in the ACC’s top 10 for scoring, field goal percentage, assists, steals and assist/turnover ratio.
Jones, a three-time ACC Player of the Week, is one of two ACC players named as a semifinalist, alongside Virginia’s Mamadi Diakite.
The finalists for the 2020 Naismith Men’s Defensive Player of the Year will be revealed on March 12, with the winner announced on Sunday, April 5, during the Naismith Awards Brunch in Atlanta.
2020 Naismith Men’s Defensive Player of the Year Award Semifinalists
Mamadi Diakite Virginia
Marcus Garrett Kansas
Romaro Gill Seton Hall
Jacob Gilyard Richmond
Ashton Hagans Kentucky
Tre Jones Duke
Davion Mitchell Baylor
Zavier Simpson Michigan
Aaron Thompson Butler
Mark Vital Baylor
