Alabama men’s basketball star Herbert Jones is one of four finalists for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, the organization behind the award announced on Tuesday.
Jones, 22, has led the Tide to its best basketball season in decades. He was named Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year by the Southeastern Conference earlier this month.
Joining Jones as finalists for the defensive player award are Baylor’s Davion Mitchell, USC’s Evan Mobley and Utah State’s Neemias Queta.
A native of Greensboro, Jones is currently in his senior year with the Crimson Tide.
Jones led Alabama in rebounds, steals and blocked shots over the past season, helping the Tide earn a ranking among the top five college defenses in the nation.
In addition to the SEC honors, Jones was named a third-team AP All American and was a semi-finalist for the Naismith Player of the Year.
In the Tide’s tougher-than-expected game in the first round of the ongoing NCAA tournament, Jones led his team to victory over Iona by scoring 20 points, grabbing six rebounds and stealing the ball three times.
The winner of the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year will be announced during Final Four weekend, according to the Alabama Athletics Department.
Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: [email protected] or on Twitter @HenryThornton95.
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