Jefferson, Lipsey Named to Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List

ATLANTA, Ga. - Iowa State seniors Tamin Lipsey and Joshua Jefferson have been named to the 2026 Naismith Men's College Defensive Player of the Year Presented by MOLECULE Watch List. Iowa State is one of six schools (Duke, Illinois, UConn, Michigan and Vanderbilt) to have multiple players named to the 25-member watch list. The Big 12 had six selections, more than any other conference in the country.

One of the best defensive point guards in the country, Lipsey was a finalist for the award in 2024 and a semifinalist in 2025. Iowa State's all-time leader in steals with 278, Lipsey currently has the most steals among any active NCAA Division I men's basketball player and the fourth-most in Big 12 history. Over his career, Lipsey has averaged 10.6 points, 4.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. He is one of just eight players in college basketball since 1947-48 to average those numbers while playing at least 120 games.

Jefferson has been putting up video game numbers this season. He is the only player in the country to average 17.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game. In fact, only five players since 1974-75 have averaged those numbers in a season. No one in Big 12 history has ever done that in a season. Last week, Jefferson recorded his second triple-double of the season, becoming the first player in Big 12 history to have two triple-doubles in league play in a career.

No. 8 Iowa State returns to action on Thursday, hosting Colorado at Hilton Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. on FS1.

Jefferson, Lipsey Named to Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List

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Joshua Jefferson

Tamin Lipsey

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Jefferson, Lipsey Named to Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List

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Joshua Jefferson

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