After winning the Associated Press and Oscar Robertson college player of the year award, Jalen Brunson has received another fantastic honor. Villanova guard won the Naismith Trophy for College Basketball Player of the Year.
He became the 50th player in history to receive this awards. Before him, we saw many players getting this title, including Bill Walton, Patrick Ewing, Tim Duncan, Kevin Durant and of course, the greatest of all times, Michael Jordan.
His rivals were Deandre Ayton from Arizona, Devonte Graham from Kansas and Marvin Bagley III from Duke.
“This is a great honor to be among the greats that have won the Naismith Trophy,” said Brunson to Villanova.com. “It’s a credit to my family, which has sacrificed a lot, and my teammates and coaches, who have helped me become the confident player I am. I’m really thankful that I get to do this with a group of guys I love. It’s all a credit to them.”
The New Jersey-born has been outstanding this season averaging 19.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 39 games played for his Wildcats. Without a doubt, he has been the leader of this team, which reached the finals of this year’s March Madness. They will be facing Michigan Wolverines this Monday, in Alamodome, and Brunson will be chasing his second NCAA championship because he already has one, won in 2016, when his team defeated North Carolina in one epic match.
He is also a candidate for clinching the fourth Player of the year awards, Wooden trophy. That one is going to be announced on Friday, April the 6th.
