Kevin McCullar Among 3 Big 12 Men on Naismith Defensive Watch List
Texas Tech’s Kevin McCullar is one of three Big 12 players named to the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch list on Thursday.
The other two Big 12 players were Iowa State’s Tyrese Hunter and Baylor’s Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua.
The Big 12 has won the award three times in the four years of its existence. Baylor’s Davion Mitchell won it last seasons. Before that, Kansas’ Marcus Garrett won it in 2020 and West Virginia’s Jevon Carter won it in 2018.
McCullar is averaging 11 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game this season. The Red Raiders are holding opponents to 38.2 percent shooting, which is best in the Big 12 and No. 15 nationally.
Hunter, a freshman, leads the Big 12 with 42 steals. He has five games with at least four steals this season. He is also averaging 10.5 points and has a team-leading 95 assists.
Tchamwa Tchatchoua is averaging 8.1 points per game. He is third in the Big 12 with 7.6 rebounds and is coming off a double-double, 13 points and 12 rebounds, against Kansas State.
2022 Naismith Men’s Defensive Player of the Year Watch List
(Big 12 Players in Bold)
Walker Kessler, Auburn
Jacob Gilyard, Richmond
Oscar Tshiebwe, Kentucky
Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga
Jamarion Sharp, Western Kentucky
Christian Koloko, Arizona
Kevin McCullar, Texas Tech
Mark Williams, Duke
Tari Eason, LSU
Tyrese Hunter, Iowa State
Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua, Baylor
Kennedy Chandler, Tennessee
Posh Alexander, St. John’s
Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana
Nathan Mensah, San Diego State
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
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