National Player of the Year Awards: Looking at the Pick of the Litter

Excluding specialty publications, there are five nationally-recognized Player of the Year awards. None of them, however, comes anywhere close to being the equivalent to college football's undisputed most prestigious honor, the Heisman Trophy. The basketball stalemate stems from essentially the same people voting on the major awards (writers or coaches or a combination) and the announcements coming one after another right around the Final Four when the playoff games dominate the sports page.

United Press International, which was a sixth venue for major awards through 1996, got all of this back slapping started in 1955. Four years later, the United States Basketball Writers Association, having chosen All-American teams in each of the two previous seasons, added a Player of the Year award to its postseason honors. In recent years, the USBWA award was sponsored by Mercedes and then RCA.

The third oldest of the awards comes from the most dominant wire service, the Associated Press. Perhaps because of its vast network of media outlets, the AP award gets more print and broadcast attention than the other honors. The AP award started in 1961 before affiliating in 1972 with the Commonwealth Athletic Club of Lexington, Ky., which was looking for a way to honor Hall of Fame coach Adolph Rupp. The result of their merger is the Rupp Trophy.

The Atlanta Tipoff Club initially was associated with UPI before starting its own Naismith Award in 1969. Six years later, the National Association of Basketball Coaches initiated its award, which was sponsored from the outset by the Eastman Kodak Company. In 1977, the Los Angeles Athletic Club began honoring Hall of Fame UCLA coach John Wooden with the Wooden Award.

Duke has had eight different national player of the year winners, including seven of them in a 21-year span from 1986 through 2006. UCLA is runner-up with six individuals earning POY acclaim. Incredibly, perennial power Kentucky never had a representative win one of the six principal national player of the year awards until freshman Anthony Davis achieved the feat in 2012.

The Big East, Pac-10 and SEC combined to go 15 straight seasons from 1996-97 through 2010-11 without a national POY. Following is a look at the seven conferences with at least three different individuals capturing one of the six principal national player of the year awards since UPI's initial winner in 1955:

ACC (16) - Shane Battier (Duke), Elton Brand (Duke), Johnny Dawkins (Duke), Tim Duncan (Wake Forest), Danny Ferry (Duke), Phil Ford (North Carolina), Tyler Hansbrough (North Carolina), Art Heyman (Duke), Antawn Jamison (North Carolina), Michael Jordan (North Carolina), Christian Laettner (Duke), J.J. Redick (Duke), Ralph Sampson (Virginia), Joe Smith (Maryland), David Thompson (North Carolina State), Jason Williams (Duke).

Big Ten (12) - Gary Bradds (Ohio State), Trey Burke (Michigan State), Dee Brown (Illinois), Calbert Cheaney (Indiana), Draymond Green (Michigan State), Jim Jackson (Ohio State), Jerry Lucas (Ohio State), Scott May (Indiana), Shawn Respert (Michigan State), Glenn Robinson (Purdue), Cazzie Russell (Michigan), Evan Turner (Ohio State).

Pacific-12 (7) - Lew Alcindor (UCLA), Sean Elliott (Arizona), Walt Hazzard (UCLA), Marques Johnson (UCLA), Ed O'Bannon (UCLA), Bill Walton (UCLA), Sidney Wicks (UCLA).

Big East (5) - Ray Allen (Connecticut), Walter Berry (St. John's), Patrick Ewing (Georgetown), Doug McDermott (Creighton), Chris Mullin (St. John's).

Big 12 (4) - Nick Collison (Kansas), Kevin Durant (Texas), T.J. Ford (Texas), Blake Griffin (Oklahoma).

Missouri Valley (3) - Larry Bird (Indiana State), Hersey Hawkins (Bradley), Oscar Robertson (Cincinnati).

SEC (3) - Anthony Davis (Kentucky), Pete Maravich (Louisiana State), Shaquille O'Neal (Louisiana State).

NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

1955
Tom Gola, La Salle, 6-6, Sr., Philadelphia (24.2 ppg, 19.9 rpg/UPI)
The Explorers (26-5 record) finish runner-up to Bill Russell-led San Francisco in the NCAA Tournament.

1956
Bill Russell, San Francisco, 6-9, Sr., Oakland (20.6 ppg, 21 rpg, 51.3 FG%/UPI)
The Dons (29-0) capture the NCAA championship after winning all 14 of their conference games by more than 10 points.

1957
Chet Forte, Columbia, 5-9, Sr., Hackensack, N.J. (28.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 85.2 FT%/UPI)
The Lions (18-6) do not appear in postseason competition after finishing in a tie for third place in the Ivy League. One of their non-conference victories was against Syracuse, which later made its initial NCAA playoff appearance.

1958
Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati, 6-5, Soph., Indianapolis (35.1 ppg, 15.2 rpg, 57.1 FG%/UPI)
The Bearcats (25-3) lose their NCAA Tournament opener after winning the Missouri Valley title (13-1 mark) in their first year in the conference.

1959
Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati, 6-5, Jr., Indianapolis (32.6 ppg, 16.3 rpg, 6.9 apg, 50.9 FG%/UPI, USBWA)
The Bearcats (26-4) finish in third place in the NCAA Tournament after winning the Missouri Valley Conference title with a 13-1 record.

1960
Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati, 6-5, Sr., Indianapolis (33.7 ppg, 14.1 rpg, 7.3 apg, 52.6 FG%/UPI, USBWA)
The Bearcats (28-2), third-place finisher in the NCAA Tournament, capture their third consecutive Missouri Valley title with a 13-1 record.

1961
Jerry Lucas, Ohio State, 6-8, Jr., Middletown, Ohio (24.9 ppg, 17.4 rpg, 62.3 FG%/AP, UPI, USBWA)
The Buckeyes (27-1) become the first team in 18 years to go undefeated in Big Ten competition (14-0) before finishing runner-up in the NCAA Tournament.

1962
Jerry Lucas, Ohio State, 6-8, Sr., Middletown, Ohio (21.8 ppg, 17.8 rpg, 61.1 FG%/AP, UPI, USBWA)
The Buckeyes (26-2) are runner-up in the NCAA Tournament after becoming the first Big Ten school to win three consecutive undisputed league titles since Wisconsin from 1911-12 through 1913-14.

1963
Art Heyman, Duke, 6-5, Sr., Rockville Center, N.Y. (24.9 ppg, 10.8 rpg/AP, UPI, USBWA)
The Blue Devils (27-3), third-place finisher in the NCAA Tournament, go undefeated (14-0) in ACC competition.

1964
Gary Bradds, Ohio State, 6-8, Sr., Jamestown, Ohio (30.6 ppg, 13.4 rpg, 52.4 FG%/AP, UPI)
The Buckeyes (16-8) do not participate in postseason competition after compiling an 11-3 Big Ten record to finish in a tie for first place with Michigan.
Walt Hazzard, UCLA, 6-2, Sr., Philadelphia (18.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg/USBWA)
The NCAA champion Bruins (30-0) compile a 15-0 record in the Athletic Association of Western Universities.

1965
Bill Bradley, Princeton, 6-5, Sr., Crystal City, Mo. (30.5 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 53.3 FG%, 88.6 FT%/AP, UPI, USBWA)
The Tigers (23-6) finish in third place in the NCAA Tournament after winning the Ivy League title with a 13-1 mark.

1966
Cazzie Russell, Michigan, 6-5, Sr., Chicago (30.8 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 51.8 FG%, 82.5 FT%/AP, UPI, USBWA)
The Wolverines (18-8) lose the NCAA Tournament Mideast Regional final after winning the Big Ten title with an 11-3 record.

1967
Lew Alcindor, UCLA, 7-2, Soph., New York (29 ppg, 15.5 rpg, 66.7 FG%/AP, UPI, USBWA)
The NCAA champion Bruins (30-0) compile a 14-0 record in the Pacific-8 Conference.

1968
Elvin Hayes, Houston, 6-8, Sr., Rayville, La. (36.8 ppg, 18.9 rpg, 54.9 FG%/AP, UPI, USBWA)
The independent Cougars (31-2) finish in fourth place in the NCAA Tournament after entering the playoffs with an unbeaten record.

1969
Lew Alcindor, UCLA, 7-2, Sr., New York (24 ppg, 14.7 rpg, 63.5 FG%/AP, UPI, USBWA, Naismith)
The NCAA champion Bruins (29-1) compile a 13-1 Pacific-8 record. Their average scoring margin was a national high 20.9 points per game.

1970
Pete Maravich, Louisiana State, 6-5, Sr., Raleigh, N.C. (44.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 6.2 apg/AP, UPI, USBWA, Naismith)
The Tigers (22-10), fourth-place finisher in the NIT, post their highest SEC finish (runner-up with a 13-5 record) since going undefeated in league play in 1954.

1971
Austin Carr, Notre Dame, 6-3, Sr., Washington, D.C. (38 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 51.7 FG%, 81.1 FT%/AP, UPI, Naismith)
The independent Irish (20-9) lose in the NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional semifinals to Drake, 79-72, when Carr, the nation's No. 2 scorer, tallied 26 points on 11-of-27 field-goal shooting.
Sidney Wicks, UCLA, 6-8, Sr., Los Angeles (21.3 ppg, 12.8 rpg, 52.4 FG%/USBWA)
The NCAA champion Bruins (29-1) go undefeated (14-0) in Pacific-8 competition.

1972
Bill Walton, UCLA, 6-11, Soph., La Mesa, Calif. (21.1 ppg, 15.5 rpg, 64.0 FG%/AP, UPI, USBWA, Naismith)
The NCAA champion Bruins (30-0) compile an unbeaten record (14-0) in Pacific-8 play.

1973
Bill Walton, UCLA, 6-11, Jr., La Mesa, Calif. (20.4 ppg, 16.9 rpg, 65.0 FG%/AP, UPI, USBWA, Naismith)
The NCAA champion Bruins (30-0) go undefeated (14-0) in Pacific-8 competition for the seventh time in 10 years.

1974
Bill Walton, UCLA, 6-11, Sr., La Mesa, Calif. (19.3 ppg, 14.7 rpg, 66.5 FG%/UPI, USBWA, Naismith)
The Bruins (26-4) finish in third place in the NCAA Tournament after winning the Pacific-8 title with a 12-2 record.
David Thompson, North Carolina State, 6-4, Jr., Shelby, N.C. (26 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 54.7 FG%/AP)
The Wolfpack (30-1) win the NCAA Tournament after becoming the only school to have back-to-back undefeated records in ACC competition. First African-American from a Southern school to become national player of the year.

1975
David Thompson, North Carolina State, 6-4, Sr., Shelby, N.C. (29.9 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 54.6 FG%/AP, UPI, NABC, USBWA, Naismith)
The Wolfpack (22-6) do not participate in national postseason play after finishing in a three-way tie for second place in the ACC and losing in the ACC Tournament final.

1976
Scott May, Indiana, 6-7, Sr., Sandusky, Ohio (23.5 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 52.7 FG%/AP, UPI, NABC, Naismith)
The NCAA champion Hoosiers (32-0) capture their fourth consecutive Big Ten title.
Adrian Dantley, Notre Dame, 6-5, Jr., Washington, D.C. (28.6 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 58.8 FG%/USBWA)
The independent Irish (23-6) lose in the NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional semifinals.

1977
Marques Johnson, UCLA, 6-7, Sr., Los Angeles (21.4 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 59.1 FG%/AP, UPI, NABC, USBWA, Naismith, Wooden)
The Bruins (24-5) lose in the NCAA Tournament West Regional semifinals after winning the Pacific-8 title with an 11-3 record.

1978
Phil Ford, North Carolina, 6-2, Sr., Rocky Mount, N.C. (20.8 ppg, 5.7 apg, 1.8 spg, 52.7 FG%, 81.0 FT%/NABC, USBWA, Wooden)
The Tar Heels (23-8) lose their NCAA Tournament West Regional opener after finishing atop the ACC standings with a 9-3 league record.
Alfred "Butch" Lee, Marquette, 6-2, Sr., Bronx, N.Y. (17.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 50.6 FG%, 87.9 FT%/AP, UPI, Naismith)
The independent Warriors (24-4) lose their NCAA Tournament Mideast Regional opener in overtime. Marquette's four defeats were by a total of just 14 points.

1979
Larry Bird, Indiana State, 6-9, Sr., French Lick, Ind. (28.6 ppg, 14.9 rpg, 5.5 apg, 53.2 FG%, 83.1 FT%/AP, UPI, NABC, USBWA, Naismith, Wooden)
The Sycamores (33-1), NCAA Tournament runner-up, become the first Missouri Valley school to go undefeated in league competition (16-0) since Oklahoma A&M went 10-0 in 1948.

1980
Mark Aguirre, DePaul, 6-7, Soph., Chicago (26.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 54.0 FG%/AP, UPI, USBWA, Naismith)
The independent Blue Demons (26-2) lose their NCAA Tournament opener in the West Regional.
Michael Brooks, La Salle, 6-7, Sr., Philadelphia (24.1 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 52.4 FG%/NABC)
The Explorers (22-9) lose in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Mideast Regional after winning the East Coast Conference Tournament following a third-place finish in the ECC's Eastern Section.
Darrell Griffith, Louisville, 6-4, Sr., Louisville, Ky. (22.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.8 apg, 55.3 FG%/Wooden).
The NCAA champion Cardinals (33-3) are undefeated in Metro Conference competition (12-0).

1981
Ralph Sampson, Virginia, 7-4, Soph., Harrisonburg, Va. (17.7 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 3.1 bpg, 55.7 FG%/AP, UPI, USBWA, Naismith)
The Cavaliers (29-4) lose in the NCAA Tournament national semifinals after winning their first ACC regular-season title with a 13-1 league record.
Danny Ainge, Brigham Young, 6-5, Sr., Eugene, Ore. (24.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 51.8 FG%, 82.4 FT%/NABC, Wooden)
The Cougars (25-7) lose the NCAA Tournament East Regional final after finishing in third place in the WAC with a 12-4 league record.

1982
Ralph Sampson, Virginia, 7-4, Jr., Harrisonburg, Va. (15.8 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 2.7 bpg, 56.1 FG%/AP, UPI, NABC, USBWA, Naismith, Wooden)
The Cavaliers (30-4) lose in the NCAA Tournament Mideast Regional semifinals after tying North Carolina for first place in the ACC with a 12-2 record.

1983
Ralph Sampson, Virginia, 7-4, Sr., Harrisonburg, Va. (19 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 3.1 bpg, 60.4 FG%/AP, UPI, NABC, USBWA, Naismith, Wooden)
The Cavaliers (29-5) lose the NCAA Tournament West Regional final after tying North Carolina for first place in the ACC with a 12-2 record.

1984
Michael Jordan, North Carolina, 6-6, Jr., Wilmington, N.C. (19.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.6 spg, 55.1 FG%/AP, UPI, NABC, USBWA, Naismith, Wooden)
The Tar Heels (28-3) lose in the NCAA Tournament East Regional semifinals after becoming the first ACC team to go undefeated in league play (14-0) since North Carolina State in 1974.

1985
Chris Mullin, St. John's, 6-6, Sr., Brooklyn, N.Y. (19.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.1 spg, 52.1 FG%, 82.4 FT%/UPI, USBWA, Wooden)
The Redmen (31-4) lose in the NCAA Tournament national semifinals after winning the Big East title with a 15-1 mark.
Patrick Ewing, Georgetown, 7-0, Sr., Cambridge, Mass. (14.6 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 3.6 bpg, 62.5 FG%/AP, NABC, Naismith)
The Hoyas (35-3) lose the NCAA Tournament final after finishing runner-up in the Big East standings with a 14-2 record.

1986
Walter Berry, St. John's, 6-8, Jr., Bronx, N.Y. (23 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 2.1 bpg, 59.8 FG%/AP, UPI, NABC, USBWA, Wooden)
The Redmen (31-5) lose in the second round of the NCAA Tournament West Regional after tying for first place in the Big East with a 14-2 record.
Johnny Dawkins, Duke, 6-2, Sr., Washington, D.C. (20.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.3 apg, 54.9 FG%, 81.2 FT%/Naismith)
The Blue Devils (37-3) lose in the NCAA Tournament final after compiling a 12-2 ACC record to win their second regular-season league title in 20 years.

1987
David Robinson, Navy, 6-11, Sr., Woodbridge, Va. (28.2 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 4.5 bpg, 59.1 FG%/AP, UPI, NABC, USBWA, Naismith, Wooden)
The Midshipmen (26-6) lose in the first round of the NCAA Tournament East Regional after winning the Colonial Athletic Association with a 13-1 mark.

1988
Hersey Hawkins, Bradley, 6-3, Sr., Chicago (36.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.6 spg, 52.4 FG%, 84.8 FT%/AP, UPI, USBWA)
The Braves (26-5) lose in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Southeast Regional after winning the Missouri Valley title with a 12-2 league record.
Danny Manning, Kansas, 6-10, Sr., Greensboro, N.C. (24.8 ppg, 9 rpg, 1.8 spg, 58.3 FG%/NABC, Naismith, Wooden)
The Jayhawks (27-11) win the NCAA Tournament after finishing in third place in the Big Eight with a 9-5 league record.

1989
Danny Ferry, Duke, 6-10, Sr., Bowie, Md. (22.6 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 4.7 apg, 52.2 FG%/UPI, USBWA, Naismith)
The Blue Devils (28-8) lose in the NCAA Tournament national semifinals after finishing in a three-way in the ACC standings with a 9-5 league record.
Sean Elliott, Arizona, 6-8, Sr., Tucson, Ariz. (22.3 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 4.1 apg, 84.1 FT%, 43.7 3FG%/AP, NABC, Wooden)
The Wildcats (29-4) lose in the NCAA Tournament West Regional semifinals after winning the Pacific-10 title with a 17-1 league record.

1990
Lionel Simmons, La Salle, 6-7, Sr., Philadelphia (26.5 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.9 spg, 2 bpg, 51.3 FG%/AP, UPI, NABC, USBWA, Naismith, Wooden)
The Explorers (30-2) lose in the second round of the NCAA Tournament East Regional after compiling the best record in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (16-0 in South Division).

1991
Larry Johnson, UNLV, 6-7, Sr., Dallas (22.7 ppg, 10.9 rpg, 3 apg, 66.2 FG%, 81.8 FT%/NABC, USBWA, Naismith, Wooden)
The Rebels (34-1) lose in the NCAA Tournament national semifinals after going undefeated (18-0) in the Big West Conference.
Shaquille O'Neal, Louisiana State, 7-1, Soph., San Antonio (27.6 ppg, 14.7 rpg, 5 bpg, 62.8 FG%/AP, UPI)
The Tigers (20-10) lose in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional after tying for first place in the SEC standings with a 13-5 league mark.

1992
Christian Laettner, Duke, 6-11, Sr., Angola, N.Y. (21.5 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 57.5 FG%, 81.5 FT%, 55.7 3FG%/AP, NABC, USBWA, Naismith, Wooden)
The Blue Devils (35-2) win the NCAA Tournament after winning the ACC regular-season title with a 14-2 league record.
Jim Jackson, Ohio State, 6-6, Jr., Toledo, Ohio (22.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 4 apg, 81.1 FT%/UPI)
The Buckeyes (26-6) lose the NCAA Tournament Southeast Regional final after compiling a 15-3 Big Ten record to win their first undisputed league title since 1971.

1993
Calbert Cheaney, Indiana, 6-7, Sr., Evansville, Ind. (22.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 54.9 FG%, 42.7 3FG%/AP, UPI, NABC, USBWA, Naismith, Wooden)
The Hoosiers (31-4) lose the NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional final after compiling the best record in Big Ten competition (17-1) since they went undefeated in 1976.

1994
Glenn Robinson Jr., Purdue, 6-8, Jr., Gary, Ind. (30.3 ppg, 10.1 rpg/AP, UPI, NABC, USBWA, Naismith, Wooden)
The Boilermakers (29-5) lose the NCAA Tournament Southeast Regional final after winning the Big Ten championship with their first winning league record in four years (14-4).

1995
Ed O'Bannon, UCLA, 6-8, Sr., Lakewood, Calif. (20.4 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.9 spg, 53.3 FG%, 43.3 3FG%/USBWA, Wooden)
The Bruins (31-2) reached the Final Four for the first time since 1980 and captured the national title for the first time since 1975. O'Bannon, who missed the 1990-91 season after undergoing surgery on his left knee, averaged only 3.6 points per game as a freshman in 1991-92.
Shawn Respert, Michigan State, 6-3, Sr., Detroit (25.6 ppg, 4 rpg, 3 apg, 86.9 FT%, 47.4 3FG%/NABC)
The Spartans (22-6) finished at least eight games above .500 in Big Ten competition (14-4) for the first time since winning the NCAA championship with Magic Johnson in 1979.
Joe Smith, Maryland, 6-10, Soph., Norfolk, Va. (20.8 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 2.9 bpg, 57.8 FG%/AP, UPI, Naismith)
The Terrapins (26-8) compiled a winning record in ACC competition (12-4) for the first time since 1985 en route to their first regular-season crown since 1980.

1996
Ray Allen, Connecticut, 6-5, Jr., Dalzell, S.C. (23.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.3 apg, 81 FT%, 46.6 3FG%/UPI)
The school's first two-time All-American sparked the Huskies (32-3) to 23 straight victories in one span. They captured their third consecutive Big East Conference regular-season title before he declared early for the NBA draft.
Marcus Camby, Massachusetts, 6-11, Jr., Hartford, Conn. (20.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 3.9 bpg/AP, NABC, Naismith, USBWA, Wooden)
The Minutemen (35-2) won 26 consecutive games in one stretch before reaching the Final Four for the first time in school history. Camby copped the honor despite missing four games after mysteriously collapsing before a contest in mid-January. He is the only individual to win a national player of the award despite missing so many contests.

1997
Tim Duncan, Wake Forest, 6-10, Sr., St. Croix, Virgin Islands (20.8 ppg, 14.7 rpg, 3.2 apg, 3.3 bpg, 60.8 FG%/AP, NABC, Naismith, USBWA, Wooden)
The Demon Deacons (24-7) post a school-record fifth consecutive 20-win season by improving their mark to 42-14 in their last 56 contests against ACC competition. Duncan, the nation's leading career rebounder in the previous 24 years, had the unusual statistic for a center of not only leading his team in blocked shots but also assists.

1998
Antawn Jamison, North Carolina, 6-9, Jr., Charlotte, N.C. (22.2 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 57.9 FG%/AP, NABC, Naismith, USBWA, Wooden)
The Tar Heels (34-4) win the most games ever for a first-year coach, Bill Guthridge, who succeeded Dean Smith. Jamison is the first Tar Heel player to average more than 20 points and 10 rebounds per game since Billy Cunningham in 1964-65, and the first to be named ACC player of the year since Michael Jordan in 1984.

1999
Elton Brand, Duke, 6-8, Soph., Peekskill, N.Y. (17.7 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 2.2 bpg, 62 FG%/AP, NABC, Naismith, USBWA, Wooden)
The Blue Devils (37-2) went undefeated in the ACC record en route to tying the NCAA mark for all-time winningest season. Their school-record streak of 32 consecutive victories was snapped in the NCAA Tournament final. Brand, who didn't start a couple of home nonconference games when teammate Chris Burgess hit a total of 12 of 15 field-goal attempts, led the Devils in scoring in just two of their last 11 contests.

2000
Kenyon Martin, Cincinnati, 6-9, Sr., Dallas, Tex. (18.9 ppg, 9.7 rpg, ?.? bpg, 58.8 FG%/AP, NABC, Naismith, USBWA, Wooden)
The Bearcats (29-4) went undefeated in C-USA regular-season competition before Martin suffered a broken right leg in their league tournament opener. Martin, UC's all-time leading shot blocker, is the only Bearcat other than legendary Oscar Robertson to post the top three season totals in any category. Martin was anything but the country's most dominant player in as a freshman in 1996-97 when he averaged an anemic 2.8 points per game. That's the lowest average for any national player of the year's first season at the major-college level since the initial award by UPI in 1955.

2001
Shane Battier, Duke, 6-8, Sr., Birmingham, Mich. (19.9 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.1 spg, 2.3 bpg, 79.6 FT%, 41.9 3FG%/AP, Naismith, USBWA, Wooden)
The Blue Devils (34-5) won the NCAA Tournament championship behind the three-time national defensive player of the year. Battier is the first player in ACC history to finish with at least 1,500 points, 500 rebounds, 200 blocks, 200 assists and 200 steals. He tied Kentucky guard Wayne Turner as the winningest player in NCAA history with 132 victories.
Jason "Jay" Williams, Duke, 6-2, Soph., Plainfield, N.J. (21.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 6.1 apg, 2 spg, 42.7 3FG%/NABC)
Battier's teammate paced the NCAA titlist in scoring and assists. The Blue Devils' ACC-record 24-game winning streak in league play on the road included a 98-96 overtime victory at Maryland when Williams scored eight points in 13 seconds during the final minute of regulation to help them erase a 10-point deficit. Williams tallied 19 consecutive points against UCLA in the East Regional semifinals.

2002
Drew Gooden, Kansas, 6-10, Jr., Richmond, Calif. (19.8 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 50.4 FG%/shared NABC)
Established a school and Big 12 Conference single-season record of 25 double-doubles (double figures in scoring and rebounding in the same game). Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain (510 in 1956-57) is the only Jayhawk player ever to grab more rebounds in a single season than Gooden (423).
Jason "Jay" Williams, Duke, 6-2, Jr., Plainfield, N.J. (21.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 5.3 apg, 2.2 spg, 38.3 3FG%/AP, shared NABC, Naismith, USBWA, Wooden)
Leader in scoring for the first school to finish atop the Associated Press poll for four consecutive seasons. Maryland guard Juan Dixon was named ACC Player of the Year over him.

2003
Nick Collison, Kansas, 6-9, Sr., Iowa Falls, Iowa (18.5 ppg, 10 rpg, 55.4 FG%/NABC)
Big 12 Conference Athlete of the Year finished his career as the Jayhawks' No. 2 all-time leading scorer and No. 3 all-time leading rebounder.
T.J. Ford, Texas, 5-10, Soph., Houston, Tex. (15 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 7.7 apg, 2 spg, 82 FT%/Naismith, Wooden)
Led the Longhorns in scoring, assists, steals and free-throw percentage to propel them to their first Final Four in 56 years.
David West, Xavier, 6-9, Sr., Teaneck, N.J., and Garner, N.C. (20.1 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 51.3 FG%, 82 FT%/AP, USBWA)
Three-time Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year is the only player in league history to collect more than 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. Led the Atlantic 10 in rebounding all four seasons.

2004
Jameer Nelson, St. Joseph's, 5-11, Sr., Chester, Pa. (20.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 5.3 apg, 3 spg, 39 3FG%/Naismith, USBWA, Wooden)
Marked the first time ever that the consensus national player of the year won the Pomeroy Award as the best player in the country shorter than six feet tall.

2005
Andrew Bogut, Utah, 6-10, Soph., Melbourne, Australia (20.4 ppg, 12.2 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.9 bpg, 62 FG%/AP, NABC, Naismith, USBWA, Wooden)
Ranked among the nation's top 20 in scoring, rebounding and field-goal percentage.

2006
Adam Morrison, Gonzaga, 6-8, Jr., Spokane, Wash. (28.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 43.2 3FG%/shared Naismith and Wooden)
Nation's leading scorer set school single-season marks for points, field goals made and free throw made.
J.J. Redick, Duke, 6-4, Sr., Roanoke, Va. (26.8 ppg, 86.3 FT%, 42.1 3FG%/AP, NABC, USBWA, shared Naismith and Wooden)
Capped his career as the ACC's all-time leading scorer and Division I's most prolific three-point shooter.

2007
Kevin Durant, Texas, 6-9, Fr., Rockville, Md. (25.8 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 1.9 spg, 1.9 bpg, 81.6 FT%, 40.4 3FG%/AP, NABC, Naismith, USBWA, Wooden)
First freshman to win the Naismith Trophy and Wooden Award led the Big 12 Conference in scoring, rebounding, blocked shots and double-doubles (20). Only player in the country to rank among the Top 10 nationally in scoring (4th) and rebounding (4th). The next year, he became the first former Longhorn and first Seattle SuperSonics player to capture NBA Rookie of the Year, leading his team in five statistical categories (points, blocks, steals, free throws made and free-throw percentage).

2008
Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina, 6-9, Jr., Poplar Bluff, Mo. (22.6 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 1.5 spg, 54 FG%, 80.6 FT%/AP, NABC, Naismith, USBWA, Wooden)
Became the fourth player in ACC history (joining UNC's Lennie Rosenbluth in 1957, Duke's Christian Laettner in 1992 and UNC's Antawn Jamison in 1998) to win National Player of the Year, NCAA Regional MVP, ACC Tournament MVP and ACC Player of the Year honors in the same season. He was en route to becoming the ACC's all-time leading scorer and first player in league history to be unanimously selected four times to the all-conference team. Hansbrough became the first white three-time All-American since Georgia Tech's Mark Price (1984 through 1986). The next year, Hansbrough became the first white four-time All-American since La Salle's Tom Gola (1952 through 1955).

2009
Blake Griffin, Oklahoma, 6-10, Soph., Oklahoma City, Okla. (22.7 ppg, 14.4 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.2 bpg, 1.1 spg, 65.4 FG%/AP, NABC, Naismith, USBWA, Wooden)
Griffin's rebounds per game set OU and Big 12 Conference records, representing the highest average by a DI player since Wake Forest's Tim Duncan (14.7 in 1996-97). Griffin's FG% also set Sooner and Big 12 marks, as did his 30 double-doubles on the year.

2010
Evan Turner, Ohio State, 6-7, Jr., Chicago, Ill. (20.4 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 6 apg, 1.7 spg, 51.9 FG%/AP, NABC, Naismith, USBWA, Wooden)
Showcasing his versatility, Turner finished among the Big Ten Conference's top three in scoring (1st), rebounding (2nd), assists (2nd) and steals (3rd). He excelled despite missing more than four weeks because of a fracture in his lower back.

2011
Jimmer Fredette, Brigham Young, 6-2, Sr., Glens Falls, N.Y. (28.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 4.3 apg, 1.3 spg, 89.4 FT%, 39.6 3FG%/AP, NABC, Naismith, USBWA, Wooden)
Fredette had fifteen 30-point outings and four 40-point efforts, including a school-record 52 vs. New Mexico, en route to surpassing Danny Ainge as the school's all-time scoring leader.

2012
Anthony Davis, Kentucky, 7-0, Fr., Chicago, Ill. (14.2 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 4.7 bpg, 62.3 FG%/AP, Naismith, USBWA, Wooden)
First AP Player of Year to become the #1 pick in the NBA draft the same year after winning an NCAA title since UCLA's Lew Alcindor in 1969. Lowest-ever scoring average for a national POY set an NCAA record for most blocked shots by a freshman en route to becoming the Final Four Most Outstanding Player despite scoring only six points on 1-of-10 field-goal shooting in NCAA championship contest. Draymond Green, 6-7, Sr., Saginaw, Mich. (16.2 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.5 spg, 38.8 3FG%/NABC)
Versatile player came a long way from his freshman campaign when he averaged a modest 3.3 points per game.

2013
Trey Burke, Michigan, 6-0, Soph., Columbus, Ohio (18.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 6.7 apg, 1.6 spg, 80.1 FT%, 38.4 3FG%/)