Editor: The following is part of a press release from leftydriesell.com.
(Boston, MA) – The finalists for the 2022-23 Lefty Driesell National Defensive Player of the Year award were announced on Thursday.
The Lefty Driesell Award, given annually to the top defensive player in Division I basketball, is named in honor of the legendary former coach.
Bradley’s Malevy Leons, the Missouri Valley Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year, is one of 25 finalists. The 6’9 forward is believed to be the first Valley player to accumulate both 50 steals and 50 blocked shots in the same season. Leons recorded 52 of each.
Joining Leons on the finalist list are former Drake Bulldog Liam Robbins (Vanderbilt) and St. Louisian Ryan Kalkbrenner (Creighton).
Driesell won 786 games in 41 years at Davidson, Maryland, James Madison and Georgia State. He ranks eighth on the NCAA career Division I coaches victories list and his teams at each stop were known for playing tenacious defense.
His teams won a total of 16 regular season championships and six tournament championships.
The recipient of the 2023 award will be announced in March, in Houston site of the men’s NCAA Basketball Championship.
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Opening round of #ArchMadness is today. The only quarterfinal we know is @UIC_MBB v @RacersHoops tomorrow at 2:30. We look at their contrasting styles heading into the @MVCsports tournament. #FatherHarry
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