The Atlanta Tipoff Club, administrators of the Naismith Trophy, announced the creation of a new college basketball award, and formed an agreement with a new presenting partner, Bona.
The Naismith Defensive Player of the Year presented by Bona will annually recognize the most outstanding men’s and women’s college basketball player who excels on the defensive end of the court. This new addition further bolsters the Naismith Awards family that features the Citizen Naismith Trophy College Players of the Year and Werner Ladder Naismith College Coaches of the Year awards, as well as honors for lifetime achievement and high school players and coaches of the year honors.
“The Naismith Awards are an honored sports tradition we have admired for years. Bona is thrilled to now be part of the Naismith family,” said Tiffany Baird, brand manager, Bona US. “From 28 professional basketball floors such as the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers, to a wide range of collegiate floors, to the men’s and women’s floors this weekend, Bona’s suite of products are the standard for durable and safe sport floors.”
The Naismith Defensive Player of the Year presented by Bona will recognize the top performers who excel in “protecting the rim” with a mid-season All-Defensive Team, as well as an end-of-season All- Defensive team. The deal was structured by PSP Partner Marketing Executive Vice President Thom Hering in New York.
“Bona is recognized as a global leader in the installation and protection of hardwood floors, which creates a tremendous platform to activate in college basketball,” said Eric Oberman, executive director of the Atlanta Tipoff Club. “We believe strongly in recognizing all facets of the game, and this partnership allows us to focus on defensive stalwarts, while also growing our tremendous family of awards and partners.”
The 2018 Naismith Defensive Men’s Player of the Year will be announced on Sunday, April 1, 2018, at the Naismith Awards Brunch during the Final Four in San Antonio, Texas. The entire awards presentation, held at Pearl Stable, will be broadcast live at www.Facebook.com/NaismithTrophy and also simulcast on Sirius XM ESPNU Radio, Channel 84. The women’s winner will be recognized after the season on her college campus.