Kansas Jayhawks’ Dotson, Azubuike emerge as semifinalists for Naismith Trophy
Kansas senior Udoka Azubuike and sophomore Devon Dotson are two of 10 semifinalists for the 2020 Citizen Naismith Trophy, which is presented to the men’s national player of the year on April 5, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Thursday.
Other semifinalists: Vernon Carey, Duke; Malachi Flynn, San Diego State; Luke Garza, Iowa; Markus Howard, Marquette; Myles Powell, Seton Hall; Payton Pritchard, Oregon; Jalen Smith, Maryland and Obi Toppin, Dayton.
The list will be narrowed to four finalists on March 17.
KU has had a Naismith semifinalist the past four seasons. Frank Mason won the award in 2016-17. Devonté Graham was one of four finalists in 2017-18 and Dedric Lawson was a semifinalist last season.
KU’s Danny Manning won the award in 1988.
Dotson, a 6-2 sophomore from Charlotte, North Carolina, is a finalist for the Bob Cousy point guard of the year award. Azubuike, a 7-foot senior from Delta, Nigeria is a finalist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar center of the year award.
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