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2019 Naismith Trophy: Ranking the 10 semifinalists – Zion Williamson’s to lose?

By Mike Phillips

DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 16: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts during their game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 16, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 94-78. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 16: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts during their game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 16, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 94-78. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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SPOKANE, WA – FEBRUARY 21: Gonzaga forward Rui Hachimura (21) at the free throw line during the game between the Pepperdine Waves and the Gonzaga Bulldogs played on February 21, 2019 in Spokane, Washington at the McCarthey Athletic Center. (Photo by Robert Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SPOKANE, WA – FEBRUARY 21: Gonzaga forward Rui Hachimura (21) at the free throw line during the game between the Pepperdine Waves and the Gonzaga Bulldogs played on February 21, 2019 in Spokane, Washington at the McCarthey Athletic Center. (Photo by Robert Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The 10 semifinalists for the Naismith Trophy were released today, and it figures to be a very competitive race for college basketball’s top individual honor.

The Naismith Trophy is given out to the nation’s best college basketball player every year, and the race for it is always fun to track. Now that the field has been cut to 10, experts can track these players before the four finalists are revealed on March 19.

The winner of the Naismith will be revealed on April 7 during the Final Four festivities in Minneapolis. Until then, we have a lot of names to consider, so we’ll rank their chances of winning from 10 to one, being the front-runner.

10. R.J. Barrett, Duke

One of two freshmen to make the list, Barrett leads Duke in scoring and has carried the load offensively without Zion Williamson. The fact that Barrett is the Blue Devils’ second best player, however, makes it hard for him to be named the best player in the country, even though he’s been outstanding and will likely be a first-team All-American selection.

9. P.J. Washington, Kentucky

Washington has had a strong sophomore season for Kentucky, averaging 14.9 ppg and 7.4 rpg to help the Wildcats get in position for a potential top seed. Like Barrett, Washington isn’t the most important player to Kentucky (that distinction goes to grad transfer Reid Travis), so that disqualifies him.

8. Dedric Lawson, Kansas

Lawson has had a fine year for the Jayhawks, averaging a double-double and carrying the load for the Kansas offense. This has not been a vintage Kansas team, however, and the fact their streak of Big 12 titles just came to an end will probably work against Lawson.

7. Carsen Edwards, Purdue

After Isaac Haas and Vince Edwards graduated, the scoring load for Purdue fell to Carsen Edwards, who leads the team in scoring by a wide margin. Edwards did go through a nasty slump in the middle of the year, however, which will likely take him out of the running.

6. Rui Hachimura, Gonzaga

Hachimura has been a steady presence on the nation’s no. 1 team, averaging over 20 points per game and almost seven rebounds a night. The lack of elite competition in the West Coast Conference and general East Coast bias probably works against Hachimura’s chances.