Gonzaga Bulldogs men’s basketball standouts Corey Kispert and Drew Timme have been named semifinalists for the Naismith Trophy Men’s College Player of the Year award, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Thursday.
Kispert and Timme are the leaders of a Zags team (24-0) that’s held the No. 1 spot in the Associated Press Top-25 poll all season. Gonzaga wrapped up its first undefeated regular season in program history on Saturday.
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The 6-foot-7 Kispert, a senior, was named the West Coast Conference Player of the Year earlier this week. The Edmonds native leads the WCC in points per game (19.5) and free-throw percentage (88.9), and ranks second in the league in field-goal percentage (55.6) and 3-pointers made per game (2.83). Kispert has been named a Julius Erving small Forward of the Year Award finalist and a first-team All-CC selection for a second straight year.
The 6-foot-10 Timme, also a first-team all-conference selection, is second to Kispert in points per game in the WCC (18.92). He leads the conference in field-goal percentage (65.1) and is third in rebounds per game (7.08). Timme is also a finalist for the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award.
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The four finalists for Naismith Player of the Year will be announced March 16. Kispert and Timme are two of 10 candidates for the award.
Kispert, Timme and the Bulldogs open play in the WCC tournament in the semifinals on March 8.