UConn’s Tristen Newton one of 30 players named to Naismith Trophy Midseason Team
National recognition continues to roll in for UConn point guard Tristen Newton, who was among 30 players named to the Naismith Trophy Midseason Team as candidates for the National Player of the Year award on Thursday.
Newton was one of four nominees from the Big East conference, joined by Marquette’s Tyler Kolek, Providence’s Devin Carter and Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman.
UConn’s second-leading scorer (15 points per game), Newton leads the top-ranked Huskies in rebounds (6.7) and assists (5.7) per game while shooting 40.4% from the field. He’s scored in double digits in 19 of his 25 games this season (20-plus in five games and 30-plus once) and had a team-high six double-doubles. Newton also recorded the third triple-double of his career, the most of any active Division I player, in November.
Newton was also named a top 10 candidate for the Basketball Hall of Fame’s Bob Cousy Award and was included on the midseason top 25 watch list for the Wooden Award.
The list of candidates will be narrowed to 10 national semifinalists on March 15, four finalists on March 26 and the Naismith Trophy National Player of the Year will be announced on April 7, a day before the national championship game.
