Baylor MBB Duo Named Naismith Defensive POY Semifinalists

[Kaye, David]

BAYLOR ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS – Feb. 25, 2021

Baylor MBB Duo Named Naismith Defensive POY Semifinalists
Second-straight season Bears are nation’s only team with two semifinalists
For more information contact: David Kaye, 254-709-5147, David_Kaye at baylor.edu<mailto:David_Kaye at baylor.edu>


ATLANTA – For the second-straight season, Baylor is the nation’s only team with two Naismith Defensive Player of the Year semifinalists, as announced Thursday by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.



Mark Vital and Davion Mitchell were both named to the list of 10 semifinalists for a second-consecutive season. They joined Kansas’ Marcus Garrett and Richmond’s Jacob Gilyard as the only repeat semifinalists. Vital advanced as one of four finalists for last season’s award.



Additional 2021 semifinalists include Western Kentucky’s Charles Bassey, Virginia’s Kihei Clark, Alabama’s Herb Jones, USC’s Evan Mobley, Tennessee’s Yves Pons and Utah State’s Neemias Queta.



Regarded as “the nation’s best on-ball defender,” Mitchell has earned the nickname “Off Night” for his habit of forcing the players he defends into having an off night. He ranks second in the Big 12 Conference with 2.1 steals per game.



With his ability to defend all five positions, Mark Vital has earned a reputation as “the nation’s most versatile defender.” Capable of switching any screen and defending quick point guards or larger forward, the 6-foot-5 Vital ranks fourth in the Big 12 with 1.1 blocks per game, 11th with 1.3 steals per game and 11th with 5.9 rebounds per game. Vital has twice posted 15-rebound game this season.



The Atlanta Tipoff Club will announce the four finalists for the Naismith Men’s Defensive Player of the Year on March 12. The award is voted on by a panel of national media with the final announcement being made Final Four weekend.



No. 2-ranked Baylor is off to the best start in program history with an 18-0 record, including a 10-0 mark in Big 12 play. The Bears have four remaining regular-season games, beginning with a trip to No. 17 Kansas on Saturday. BU then plays at West Virginia on Tuesday, before returning home to host Oklahoma State (Thursday, March 4) and Texas Tech (Sunday, March 7).


Follow @BaylorMBB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for updates throughout the year.

2021 NAISMITH DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR SEMIFINALISTS
Charles Bassey, Western Kentucky
Kihei Clark, Virginia
Marcus Garrett, Kansas
Jacob Gilyard, Richmond
Herb Jones, Alabama
Davion Mitchell, Baylor
Evan Mobley, USC
Yves Pons, Tennessee
Neemias Queta, Utah State
Mark Vital, Baylor

2020-21 BAYLOR MBB HONORS
Jared Butler
Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award Finalist (1 of 5)
Wooden Award Late Season Top 20 Watch List
Naismith Trophy Midseason Team (1 of 30)
Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List (1 of 15)
Lute Olson Award Midseason Watch List
Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List
NCAA National Player of the Week (Jan. 25)
Naismith Trophy Player of the Week (Jan. 25)
Big 12 Player of the Week (Jan. 25)
Preseason All-America Team (Associated Press)
Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year
Preseason All-Big 12 Team (unanimous)
No. 5 on CBS Sports Top 101 Players in College Basketball
No. 2 on The Athletic’s Top 20 Guards in College Basketball

Scott Drew
Naismith Men’s Coach of the Year Late Season Watch List (1 of 15)

Davion Mitchell
Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Semifinalist (1 of 10)
Naismith Trophy Midseason Team (1 of 30)
Big 12 Player of the Week (Feb. 1)
No. 67 on CBS Sports Top 101 Players in College Basketball
No. 10 on The Athletic’s Top 20 Guards in College Basketball

MaCio Teague
Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award Finalist (1 of 5)
Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List
Preseason All-Big 12 honorable mention
No. 24 on CBS Sports Top 101 Players in College Basketball
No. 12 on The Athletic’s Top 20 Wings in College Basketball

Mark Vital
Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Semifinalist (1 of 10)
Preseason All-Big 12 honorable mention
Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Watch List
No. 71 on CBS Sports Top 101 Players in College Basketball



www.BaylorBears.com






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David Kaye | Assistant AD for Communications
Department of Athletics | Baylor University
C: 254-709-5147

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