CINCINNATI - University of Cincinnati junior guard Sean Kilpatrick has been named one of 30 candidates for the 2013 Naismith College Player of the Year award presented by AT&T, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced today.
Kilpatrick ranks among the BIG EAST Conference leaders in scoring (fourth at 17.6 points per game), three-pointers per game (second at 2.54) and rebounding (19th at 5.4). The Yonkers, N.Y. native has scored 30 or more points twice this season; 20 or more points in eight games and has reached double figures in scoring in all but two games.
Kilpatrick has been honored by the BIG EAST six times this season with two player of the week awards and four weekly honor roll selections.
The top 30 candidates of the Naismith College Player of the Year award were selected by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Board of Selectors, which based its criteria on player performances to this point in the 2013 men’s college basketball season. In late March, the Naismith Trophy voting academy will narrow down the list to four finalists. The Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year presented by AT&T will be awarded on April 7, 2013 in Atlanta.
For the ninth consecutive year, fans will have the opportunity to text their votes for the player of their choice and help determine the 2013 Naismith Trophy winner. Voting will open to fans on Monday, March 25. Naismith Trophy presenting sponsor AT&T is making the voting open to other wireless carriers, enabling even more fans to participate.
For more information, visit www.naismithawards.com.
Kilpatrick and the Bearcats return to action Saturday when they play host to Connecticut, beginning at 2 p.m. ET at Fifth Third Arena.
Top 30 Candidates for 2013 Naismith Men’s Player of the Year Award:
Anthony Bennett, UNLV
Jared Berggren, Wisconsin
Trey Burke, Michigan
Isaiah Canaan, Murray State
Michael Carter-Williams, Syracuse
Ian Clark, Belmont
Rotnei Clarke, Butler
Jack Cooley, Notre Dame
Allen Crabbe, California
Seth Curry, Duke
Matthew Dellavedova, Saint Mary’s
Jamaal Franklin, San Diego State
Sean Kilpatrick, Cincinnati
Shane Larkin, Miami (Fla.)
Doug McDermott, Creighton
Rodney McGruder, Kansas State
Ben McLemore, Kansas
Shabazz Muhammad, UCLA
Mike Muscala, Bucknell
Victor Oladipo, Indiana
Kelly Olynyk, Gonzaga
Brandon Paul, Illinois
Mason Plumlee, Duke
Otto Porter Jr., Georgetown
Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State
Russ Smith, Louisville
DeShaun Thomas, Ohio State
Jeff Withey, Kansas
Nate Wolters, South Dakota State
Cody Zeller, Indiana
