Clark Named to Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia’s Kihei Clark (Woodland Hills, Calif.) is one of 15 players named to the watch list for the 2021 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, announced Thursday (Jan. 28).
Clark spearheads Virginia’s eighth-ranked defense, which is yielding 59.5 points per game. Clark, who is one of college basketball’s best on-ball defenders, has averaged 9.7 points and ranks second in the ACC in assist/turnover ratio (2.3) and fourth in assists (4.5).
No. 8 Virginia (11-2, 7-0 ACC) plays at No. 20 Virginia Tech on Saturday, Jan. 30. Tipoff at Cassell Coliseum is set for 6 p.m. on ACC Network and Virginia Sports Radio Network.
2021 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List
Charles Bassey, Jr., C, Western Kentucky
Jared Butler, Jr., G, Baylor
Justin Champagnie, So., F, Pitt
Kihei Clark, Jr., G, Virginia
Marcus Garrett, Sr., G, Kansas
Jacob Gilyard, Sr., G, Richmond
Herb Jones, Sr., G/F, Alabama
DeVante’ Jones, Jr., G, Coastal Carolina
Davion Mitchell, Jr., G, Baylor
Evan Mobley, Fr., F, USC
Yves Pons, Sr., G/F, Tennessee
Neemias Querta, Jr., C, Utah State
Aamir Simms, Sr., Fr, Clemson
Mark Vital, Sr., G/F, Baylor
Franz Wagner, So., G, Michigan