The race for the Naismith Player of the Year is as wide open as the college basketball season has been. So who’s the front-runner for the award?
5. Evan Turner, Ohio State » The most-telling stat for the swingman is the Buckeyes’ record: 13-3 with the junior in the lineup; 3-3 without. Turner is the most versatile player in college basketball — averaging 18.4 points, 9.5 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game with a 55.6 field goal percentage. He’d probably be higher on the list if he played every game this season.
4. Damion James, Texas » The 6-foot-7 junior is the best rebounder in the Big 12 — 11.3 per game — and has 12 double-doubles this season. Texas has lost three of four, but it’s hard to blame James. He had 20 points, 19 rebounds and 4 steals in Saturday’s 80-77 overtime loss to Baylor.
3. John Wall, Kentucky » The freshman is the best pro prospect and will be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. For the third year in a row, John Calipari is coaching the top one-and-done point guard. Wall is averaging 16.9 points and an SEC-leading 6.8 assists, but he also leads the conference with 4.1 turnovers per game.
2. Wesley Johnson, Syracuse » On a balanced team that has five players scoring around 10 points per game, the transfer has emerged as the Orange’s top player. His efficiency is what stands out most: 17.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists while taking only 11.6 shots per game. He’s shooting 55.1 percent from the field and 43.5 percent from behind the arc.
1. Scottie Reynolds, Villanova » The guard from Herndon has led the Wildcats to an 8-0 start in the Big East, scoring 20.9 points per game during conference play. The senior is prospering by staying in school, having his best season in points (18.7), field goal percentage (49.6) and 3-point percentage (41.7). But to win player of the year he will have to keep proving himself in the toughest conference with games remaining against Georgetown, West Virginia (twice), Pittsburgh and Syracuse.
– Jeffrey Tomik
