Bona US (Aurora, Colo.) will become a presenting partner with The Atlanta Tipoff Club, administrator of college basketball’s Naismith Trophy, and the partnership will include the creation of a new annual men’s and women’s collegiate basketball award, titled “The Naismith Defensive Player of the Year presented by Bona.”
Bona US (Aurora, Colo.) will become a presenting partner with The Atlanta Tipoff Club, administrator of college basketball’s Naismith Trophy, and the partnership will include the creation of a new annual men’s and women’s collegiate basketball award, titled “The Naismith Defensive Player of the Year presented by Bona.”
The award will honor standout players who excel in “protecting the rim,” with a mid-season All-Defensive Team, as well as an end-of-season All-Defensive team.
“The Naismith Awards are an honored sports tradition we have admired for years,” Bona Brand Manager Tiffany Baird said in a statement. “Bona is thrilled to now be part of the Naismith family.”
Atlanta Tipoff Club Executive Director Eric Oberman said Bona products have played a role in creating platforms in college basketball.
“We believe strongly in recognizing all facets of the game, and this partnership allows us to focus on defensive stalwarts, while also growing our tremendous family of awards and partners,” Oberman said.
The winner of the 2018 Naismith Defensive Men’s Player of the Year will be announced Sunday, April 1 at an awards brunch in San Antonio, Texas, and the winner of the women’s category will be recognized at the end of the season.