ATLANTA (April 1, 2018) – The Atlanta Tipoff Club today announced that West Virginia University senior Jevon Carter is the first recipient of the newly-created Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award presented by Bona.
Carter helped lead the Mountaineers to 105 wins during his career and four NCAA Tournaments, including three NCAA Sweet 16s. He holds the school record for season steals (112), career steals (330) and season assists (246). The guard from Maywood, Illinois, also won Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Year for the second year in a row, becoming the fourth Big 12 player (first guard) to win Defensive Player of the Year honors twice.
The 6’2” guard became the first major college player and just the fifth Division I player all-time to have more than 1,500 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists and 300 steals in a career.
“Congratulations to Jevon, truly one the best-of-the-best on the defensive end of the court,” said Phil Sanchez, sport manager, professional sales, Bona US. “Bona is thrilled to be part of this prestigious Naismith Award that celebrates hard work and talent.”
“Jevon has enjoyed an amazing college career, and his defense prowess illustrates why he is incredibly deserving of this award,” said Eric Oberman, executive director of the Atlanta Tipoff Club.
“I’ve always been a hard worker on and off the court, and it just shows that hard work pays off on the court and in the classroom,” said Jevon Carter, winner of the Naismith Trophy for Defensive Player of the Year presented by Bona. “I’m proud that I stayed on course and kept focused on my goals through college on and off the court. I’m thankful for being blessed to win the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award and having the opportunity to attend West Virginia University.”
ABOUT THE ATLANTA TIPOFF CLUB
Celebrating 50 Years of the Citizen Naismith Trophy
Founded during the 1956-57 season, the Atlanta Tipoff Club is committed to promoting the game of basketball and recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of those who make the game so exciting. The Atlanta Tipoff Club administers the Naismith Awards, which have become the most prestigious national honors in all of college basketball. Named in honor of Dr. James Naismith, inventor of the game of basketball, the Naismith Trophy recognizes the top Men’s and Women’s College Basketball Players of the Year. Other Naismith Awards are presented to the Men’s and Women’s College Basketball Coaches of the Year, Boys’ and Girls’ High School Basketball Players and Coaches of the Year, Basketball Officials and Outstanding Contributors to the game. Celebrating its 50th year by honoring past winners, the Citizen Naismith Trophy was first presented to UCLA’s Lew Alcindor (later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) in 1969. Old Dominion’s Anne Donovan won the inaugural Women’s Citizen Naismith Trophy in 1983.
About Bona US
Bona is an innovative, environmentally-conscious company dedicated to creating beautiful floors since 1919. Bona US, the North American subsidiary of BonaAB in Malmö, Sweden, manufactures and distributes floor care and home cleaning products. The first in the industry to offer a full system of waterborne hardwood floor finishing and floor care products certified for indoor air quality by GREENGUARD, Bona products can be found throughout the U.S. and Canada. From residue-free hardwood floor cleaners to a beautiful array of stains and high durability finishes, consumers, distributors and contractors trust Bona. For more information, please contact Bona US at (800) 872-5515 or www.bona.com.
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Media Contacts:
Traci Messier
Jackson Spalding for the Atlanta Tipoff Club
404.214.3596
[email protected]