Citizen Naismith Trophy for Women’s Player of the Year 
2023 Watch List

THE NAISMITH TROPHY

Named in honor of Dr. James Naismith, the creator of the game of basketball, the first Naismith trophy was awarded in 1969 to UCLA’s Lew Alcindor, later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The trophy was sculpted by Marty C. Dawe of Atlanta and has become among the most prestigious national honors awarded each year to top basketball players in the nation. The Citizen Naismith Women’s Player of the Year Award was first given to Anne Donovan of Old Dominion University in 1983.

Each year the club’s board publishes the “Naismith Watch” list that is made up of the top 50 players to watch in men’s and women’s college basketball. The organization also releases a list of 30 mid-season Naismith candidates. At the end of the season the Citizen Naismith Trophy is awarded to the player of the year in men’s and women’s college basketball. A national voting academy of leading basketball coaches, administrators and journalists narrows the group down to four finalists based on player performance throughout the season. The final four Naismith finalists will make up the ballot and the player of the year is voted on by the group.

THE ATLANTA TIPOFF CLUB

The Atlanta Tipoff Club was founded in the late 1950’s as a way for local basketball enthusiasts to share their love and enjoyment of basketball. The mission of the organization is to promote, develop and celebrate the sport in metro Atlanta and throughout the state of Georgia. The club’s annual Naismith Awards recognize the top players and coaches in women’s and men’s basketball at the national, state and local level. 

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