DURHAM, N.C. – The Atlanta Tipoff Club has announced that Duke freshman Vernon Carey Jr., is one of 10 semifinalists for the 2020 Citizen Naismith Trophy for Men’s Player of the Year.
The Blue Devils’ center has recorded 14 double-doubles this season, which are ranked second among NCAA freshmen and second in the ACC. Nine of Carey’s double-doubles have been 20-10 performances, while 13 have come as 15-10 games. His .577 field goal percentage leads the conference, ranks fourth among NCAA freshmen and is fifth nationally among players with at least 330 field goal attempts. Carey averages 28.4 points per 40 minutes, which is third among power conference players.
The only semifinalist representing an ACC school and the lone freshmen, Carey is the only player ranked in the ACC’s top 10 in scoring (third, 17.6), rebounding (third, 8.7), field goal percentage and blocked shots (sixth, 1.6). He has earned ACC Player of the Week recognition twice this season and was named ACC Freshman of the Week four times. The Miami, Fla., native is also a candidate for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award and, along with sophomore teammate Tre Jones, was named to the John R. Wooden Award Late Season Watch List.
The finalists for the Citizen Naismith Trophy for Men’s Player of the Year will be revealed on March 17, and the winner of the award will be announced on April 5 at the Naismith Awards Brunch in Atlanta.
Duke leads the country with eight previous winners of the Citizen Naismith Trophy, including Zion Williamson last season.
Citizen Naismith Trophy Semifinalists
| Udoka Azubuike | Sr. | C | Kansas |
| Vernon Carey Jr. | Fr. | C | Duke |
| Devon Dotson | So. | G | Kansas |
| Malachi Flynn | Jr. | G | San Diego State |
| Luka Garza | Jr. | C | Iowa |
| Markus Howard | Sr. | G | Marquette |
| Myles Powell | Sr. | G | Seton Hall |
| Payton Pritchard | Sr. | G | Oregon |
| Jalen Smith | So. | F | Maryland |
| Obi Toppin | So. | F | Dayton |
