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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h1 align="right" style="text-align:right"><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;text-decoration:none">BAYLOR ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS – Jan. 28, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h1 align="left" style="text-align:left"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;text-decoration:none">Baylor MBB Trio Named to Naismith Defensive Player of Year Watch List<o:p></o:p></span></b></h1>
<h2 align="left" style="text-align:left"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;font-style:normal">Bears are only school with multiple players on watch list</span></b><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;font-style:normal"><o:p></o:p></span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">For more information contact:
</span></b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">David Kaye, 254-709-5147,
<a href="mailto:David_Kaye@baylor.edu">David_Kaye@baylor.edu</a></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">ATLANTA –
</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">A trio of
</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Baylor men’s basketball players have been named among 15 candidates for the 2021 Naismith Men’s Defensive Player of the Year, as announced on the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s watch list released
Thursday.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Davion Mitchell, Mark Vital and Jared Butler made Baylor the nation’s only team with multiple players on the 15-team list. They were joined by Charles Bassey (Western Kentucky),
Justin Champagnie (Pittsburgh), Kihei Clark (Virginia), Marcus Garrett (Kansas), Jacob Gilyard (Richmond), Herb Jones (Alabama), DeVante’ Jones (Coastal Carolina), Evan Mobley (USC), Yves Pons (Tennessee), Neemias Queta (Utah State), Aamir Simms (Clemson)
and Franz Wagner (Michigan).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Mitchell and Vital were among 10 semifinalists for last year’s Naismith Men’s Defensive Player of the Year award, and Vital advanced as one of four finalists.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">The trio of Mitchell, Vital and Butler has combined to help Baylor form the nation’s top defense. The Bears are ranked No. 1 nationally in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency,
which accounts for pace of play. BU ranks second nationally in defensive turnover percentage, forcing turnovers on 26.5 percent of their opponents’ possessions. The Bears also rank fourth nationally in steal percentage, creating steals on 13.8 percent of defensive
possessions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Baylor leads the Big 12 Conference in scoring defense, allowing 62.3 points per game in conference play, which is more than four points better than the next closest team. BU
also leads the Big 12 in field goal percentage defense (.408), steals (9.9/game), blocked shots (4.25/game) and rebounding margin (+5.13) in conference play.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Mitchell, a junior from Hinesville, Ga., has been referred to as “the nation’s best on-ball defender,” earning the nickname “Off Night” for often forcing the player he’s defending
to have what might be called an “off night.” He ranks second in the Big 12 with 2.2 steals per game.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Vital, a senior from Lake Charles, La., has been dubbed “the nation’s most versatile defender” for his ability to effectively guard every position on the floor. He’s known for
being able to switch onto the opposing team’s point guard and create a turnover or stand his ground when switching onto a taller forward. His high-energy plays are highlighted on social media as part of a #GoingVital series.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Butler, a junior from Reserve, La., is often called “the nation’s best two-way player.” In addition to being a candidate for numerous National Player of the Year awards, Butler
has displayed improved athleticism when wreaking havoc on the defensive end. He leads the Big 12 Conference with 2.3 steals per game, and he has raised that league-leading average to 2.8 steals per game in conference play.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">The Naismith Men’s Defensive Player of the Year watch list of 15 candidates will be trimmed to 10 semifinalists on Feb. 25. The list will be further reduced to four finalists
on March 12, and the winner will be announced on April 4. Vital and Mitchell both advanced as semifinalists in 2020, and Vital went on to become the first finalist in program history.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Baylor returns to action Saturday when the Bears break from Big 12 play to host Auburn in the annual Big 12/SEC Challenge. The game will tip off at 3 p.m. CT on ESPN from the
Ferrell Center. BU then returns to Big 12 action when it travels to Austin to face Texas at 6 p.m. CT Tuesday on ESPN. Follow @BaylorMBB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for updates throughout the year.
</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">2021 NAISMITH DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Charles Bassey, Western Kentucky<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Jared Butler, Baylor<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Justin Champagnie, Pittsburgh<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Kihei Clark, Virginia<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Marcus Garrett, Kansas<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Jacob Gilyard, Richmond<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Herb Jones, Alabama<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">DeVante’ Jones, Coastal Carolina<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Davion Mitchell, Baylor<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Evan Mobley, USC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Yves Pons, Tennessee<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Neemias Queta, Utah State<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Aamir Simms, Clemson<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Mark Vital, Baylor<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Franz Wagner, Michigan<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">2020-21 BAYLOR MBB HONORS<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Jared Butler<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 Watch List<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Cousy Award Top 10
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List (1 of 15)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">NCAA National Player of the Week (Jan. 25)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Naismith Trophy Player of the Week (Jan. 25)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Big 12 Player of the Week (Jan. 25)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Preseason All-America Team (Associated Press)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Preseason All-Big 12 Team (unanimous)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">No. 5 on CBS Sports Top 101 Players in College Basketball<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">No. 2 on The Athletic’s Top 20 Guards in College Basketball<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Davion Mitchell<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List (1 of 15)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">No. 67 on CBS Sports Top 101 Players in College Basketball<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">No. 10 on The Athletic’s Top 20 Guards in College Basketball<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">MaCio Teague<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Jerry West Award Top 10<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Preseason All-Big 12 honorable mention<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">No. 24 on CBS Sports Top 101 Players in College Basketball<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">No. 12 on The Athletic’s Top 20 Wings in College Basketball<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Mark Vital<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List (1 of 15)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Preseason All-Big 12 honorable mention<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Watch List<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">No. 71 on CBS Sports Top 101 Players in College Basketball<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">www.BaylorBears.com<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" align="center" style="text-align:center"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" align="center" style="text-align:center"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">-- <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#385623">David Kaye</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#385623">
</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">| Assistant AD for Communications<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Department of Athletics | Baylor University<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">C: 254-709-5147<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><img border="0" width="160" height="44" style="width:1.6666in;height:.4583in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01D6F58A.6A95C320" alt="signature_681104360"></span><o:p></o:p></p>
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