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Gonzaga Basketball

Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren named one of 10 semifinalists for Naismith Defensive Player of Year

St. Mary's Gaels forward Kyle Bowen (14) snags a rebound against Gonzaga Bulldogs center Chet Holmgren (34) during the second half of a college basketball game on Saturday, Feb 26, 2022, at University Credit Union Pavilion in Moraga, Calif. The St. Mary's Gaels won the game 67-57. (Tyler Tjomsland / The Spokesman-Review)
By Theo Lawson theol@spokesman.com(509) 459-5584
St. Mary's Gaels forward Kyle Bowen (14) snags a rebound against Gonzaga Bulldogs center Chet Holmgren (34) during the second half of a college basketball game on Saturday, Feb 26, 2022, at University Credit Union Pavilion in Moraga, Calif. The St. Mary's Gaels won the game 67-57. (Tyler Tjomsland / The Spokesman-Review)

As the 2021-22 college basketball season winds down, Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren will be one of 10 players considered for Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Tuesday morning.

Holmgren’s rim protection has been essential for Gonzaga, which holds the No. 1 ranking in the Associated Press Top 25 and enters the West Coast Conference Tournament with an overall record of 24-3.

In 27 games, Holgmren has blocked 97 shots.

The freshman enters the final stretch with a chance to become the program’s leader for blocks in a single season, needing 20 to match the record set by Brandon Clarke, now a member of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Holmgren’s 97 blocks and 3.59 blocks per game lead the WCC and rank fourth nationally.

The 7-foot freshman also leads the WCC in rebounds per game (9.7) and is averaging 10.9 boards during conference play.

Other semifinalists for the Naismith award include LSU’s Tari Eason, Duke’s Mark Williams, Arizona’s Christian Koloko, Richmond’s Jacob Gilyard, Auburn’s Walker Kessler, Rutgers’ Caleb McConnell, Texas Tech’s Kevin McCullar, Western Kentucky’s Jamarion Sharp and Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe.

The award has been handed out four times since the 2017-18 season. Winners have been Baylor’s Davion Mitchell (2021), Kansas’ Marcus Garrett (2020), Washington’s Matisse Thybulle (2019) and West Virginia’s Jevon Carter (2018).