BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa has joined Duke Blue Devils swingman Cameron Boozer and Arkansas Razorbacks guard Darius Acuff Jr. in a prestigious nod late in the season. On Thursday, Feb. 19, @naismithtrophy posted a trio of photos on Instagram, in which the selection committee for the Naismith Awards announced the 2026 Men’s College Player of the Year Late-Season Team.
The Naismith College Player of the Year is an annual award for both men and women, given out in college basketball, and it serves as the most prestigious individual honor that the sport has to offer at the collegiate level. It is selected by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Board of Selectors and is in honor of the inventor of basketball, James Naismith.
As previously mentioned, Dybantsa, Boozer, and Acuff have been named on the special list.
Joining them in the mix of potential winners of this year’s Naismith Trophy for men’s collegiate hoops are Kansas Jayhawks’ Darryn Peterson and Flory Bidunga, Tennessee Volunteers’ Nate Ament and Ja’Kobi Gillespie, and Texas Tech Red Raiders’ Christian Anderson and JT Toppin, who is now out for the rest of the year with a season-ending injury.
“The Best of the Best. ⭐️ Introducing our 2026 @jerseymikes Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year Late-Season Team,” @naismithtrophy on Instagram captioned with a star emoji.
Rounding out the list are Arizona Wildcats’ Jaden Bradley and Brayden Burries, UConn Huskies’ Silas Demary and Alex Karaban, St. John’s Red Storm’s Zuby Ejiofor Jr., Michigan State Spartans’ Jeremiah Fears Jr., Houston Cougars’ Kingston Flemings, Auburn Tigers’ Keyshawn Hall, Florida Gators’ Thomas Haugh, Gonzaga Bulldogs’ Graham Ike and Iowa State Cyclones’ Joshua Jefferson.
Former Duke Blue Devils Star Cooper Flagg Won Naismith College Player of the Year Award In The 2024-25 Campaign
Last year, in the 2024-25 season, it was former Duke Blue Devils star Cooper Flagg who was named the winner of the 2025 Naismith College Player of the Year Award.
This is now presumably aiming to be replicated by current Duke standout Cameron Boozer, but he will have to earn it against the likes of AJ Dybantsa, Darius Acuff, and Darryn Peterson, especially if Peterson stays healthy for the rest of the 2025-26 season.
Read More: AJ Dybantsa Hypes Up Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson, Meleek Thomas And Freshman Class With Huge Claim
Also Read: Concerns Mount for Darryn Peterson as Major Red Flag Clouds His NBA Draft Projection
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