The Naismith College Player of the Year is a special basketball award by the Atlanta Tipoff Club to the best men's and women's college basketball players every year. It's named after Dr. James Naismith, the person who invented basketball. Since it started in 1969, 44 men and 24 women have received this trophy. The first winners were Lew Alcindor from UCLA and Anne Donovan from Old Dominion University. Bill Walton from UCLA and Ralph Sampson from the University of Virginia are the only men to win it three times. Among women, Cheryl Miller and Breanna Stewart won it three times, and seven others, like Diana Taurasi and Maya Moore from UConn, have won it twice. Through their exceptional skills, these teams have made history in college basketball.
List Of College Basketball Teams With The Most Naismith Trophy Winners
The list of college basketball teams with the most Naismith Trophy winners reflects the legacy of excellence in the sport. UCLA and Duke lead the pack with four winners each, including iconic players like Lew Alcindor and Christian Laettner. Virginia follows closely with three winners, notably Ralph Sampson. North Carolina and Kansas boast two winners each, featuring legends like Michael Jordan and Danny Manning. Other notable teams include Georgetown, Indiana, and Navy, each with one distinguished winner like Patrick Ewing, Scott May, and David Robinson, respectively. These teams' achievements underscore their rich basketball traditions and commitment to excellence. From iconic figures to rising stars, these players have left an indelible mark on college basketball, inspiring future generations with their exceptional skills and dedication to the game.
Here's a table summarizing the College basketball teams with the most Naismith Trophy winners:
| College | Number of Naismith Trophy Winners | Notable Players |
| UCLA | 4 | Lew Alcindor, Bill Walton (x3), Marques Johnson |
| Duke | 4 | Christian Laettner (x2), Danny Ferry, Zion Williamson |
| Virginia | 3 | Ralph Sampson (x3) |
| North Carolina | 3 | Michael Jordan, Antawn Jamison, Tyler Hansbrough |
| Kansas | 2 | Danny Manning, Frank Mason III |
| Indiana | 2 | Scott May, Calbert Cheaney |
| Georgetown | 1 | Patrick Ewing |
| Marquette | 1 | Butch Lee |
| Indiana State | 1 | Larry Bird |
| DePaul | 1 | Mark Aguirre |
| Navy | 1 | David Robinson |
| La Salle | 1 | Lionel Simmons |
| UNLV | 1 | Larry Johnson |
| Purdue | 1 | Glenn Robinson, Zach Edey |
| Maryland | 1 | Joe Smith |
| Massachusetts | 1 | Marcus Camby |
| Wake Forest | 1 | Tim Duncan |
| Cincinnati | 1 | Kenyon Martin |
| Saint Joseph's | 1 | Jameer Nelson |
| Utah | 1 | Andrew Bogut |
| Wisconsin | 1 | Frank Kaminsky |
| Oklahoma | 1 | Blake Griffin, Buddy Hield |
| Ohio State | 1 | Evan Turner |
| Brigham Young | 1 | Jimmer Fredette |
| Kentucky | 1 | Anthony Davis, Oscar Tshiebwe |
| Creighton | 1 | Doug McDermott |
| Michigan | 1 | Trey Burke |
| Villanova | 1 | Jalen Brunson |
| Iowa | 1 | Luka Garza |
FAQ's On List Of College Basketball Teams With The Most Naismith Trophy Winners
A. The award started in 1969 and has been presented to 44 men and 24 women, with Lew Alcindor and Anne Donovan as the first winners.
A. Bill Walton from UCLA and Ralph Sampson from the University of Virginia are the only men to win the award three times.
A. Cheryl Miller and Breanna Stewart won the award three times each, making them the only women with this achievement.
A. UCLA and Duke lead with four winners each, followed by Virginia with three. Notable players include Lew Alcindor, Christian Laettner, and Ralph Sampson.
