Herbert Jones Named Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Semifinalist
Crimson Tide senior wing Herbert Jones one of 10 players up for national honor
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — University of Alabama basketball forward Herbert Jones was one of 10 players from around the country named an 2021 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award semifinalist, the Atlanta Tip Off Club announced on Thursday.
Per the release the Crimson Tide senior:
- Considered one of the top defensive players in the country, the Greensboro, Ala., native is known for his toughness, athleticism, length and ability to guard at a high level
- Anchors the nation’s fourth-ranked defense in terms of defensive efficiency, according to KenPom.com
- Leads team in rebounding (5.7 rebounds per game), steals (1.7), charges taken (12), deflections (80), floor dives (16) and blocked shots (25 total, 1.1 per game)
- Has collected a team-leading 479 Blue Collar Points (BCP) – a system that includes players receiving points each game for deflections, steals, blocks, rebounds, floor dives and charges
- The 6-8, 210-pound forward is 152.5 better than the next closest player in Blue Collar Points
- Has earned the team’s “Hard Hat Award” as the BCP single-game point leader in 12 of the Tide’s 24 games, with the next closest player earning three Hard Hat Awards
The Naismith player awards have been around since 1969, although the defensive honor was first given out in 2018. Alabama's never had a winner of either honor.
2021 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Semifinalists
C Charles Bassey, Western Kentucky
G Kihei Clark, Virgina
G Marcus Garrett, Kansas
G Jacob Gilyard, Richmond
F/G Herbert Jones, Alabama
G Davion Mitchell, Baylor
F Evan Mobley, USC
F Yves Pons, Tennessee
C Neemias Queta, Utah State
F/G Mark Vital, Baylor
