Texas Tech University Athletics
McCullar selected as Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Semifinalist
March 01, 2022 | Men's Basketball
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech guard Kevin McCullar has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the 2022 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year which was announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club on Tuesday.
McCullar has been a staple of the stifling Red Raider defense which is 13th nationally by holding opponents to just 38.7 percent shooting and 14th with teams averaging just 61.0 points per game. No. 12-ranked Tech improved to 23-7 overall and completed a perfect home season at 18-0 with a 73-68 win over Kansas State. McCullar was unable to play due to injury.
A San Antonio native, McCullar is playing in his third season at Tech and is currently averaging 10.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game this season. Widely regarded as one of the top defenders in the Big 12, McCullar had three steals last Saturday at TCU and now has 102 steals through 72 games in his career.
McCullar is the only Big 12 player on the semifinalist list and is joined nationally by Tari Eason (LSU), Jacob Gilyard (Richmond), Chet Holmgren (Gonzaga), Walker Kessler (Auburn), Christian Koloko (Arizona), Caleb McConnell (Rutgers), Jamarion Sharp (Western Kentucky), Oscar Tshiebwe (Kentucky) and Mark Williams (Duke).
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McCullar has been a staple of the stifling Red Raider defense which is 13th nationally by holding opponents to just 38.7 percent shooting and 14th with teams averaging just 61.0 points per game. No. 12-ranked Tech improved to 23-7 overall and completed a perfect home season at 18-0 with a 73-68 win over Kansas State. McCullar was unable to play due to injury.
A San Antonio native, McCullar is playing in his third season at Tech and is currently averaging 10.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game this season. Widely regarded as one of the top defenders in the Big 12, McCullar had three steals last Saturday at TCU and now has 102 steals through 72 games in his career.
McCullar is the only Big 12 player on the semifinalist list and is joined nationally by Tari Eason (LSU), Jacob Gilyard (Richmond), Chet Holmgren (Gonzaga), Walker Kessler (Auburn), Christian Koloko (Arizona), Caleb McConnell (Rutgers), Jamarion Sharp (Western Kentucky), Oscar Tshiebwe (Kentucky) and Mark Williams (Duke).
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Players Mentioned
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