Braden Smith averages 16.0 points, 8.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game, and makes 39.5% of his 3-pointers.

The race is heating up for the 2025 Bob Cousy Award. The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame named Mark Sears and Zakai Zeigler among the five finalists for the coveted individual prize on Monday.

The Florida Gators senior guard is one of the final players in the running for an award for the top player at his position from the Baketball Hall of Fame

Purdue guard Braden Smith is one of five finalists for the Bob Cousy Award, presented to the best point guard in college basketball.

Ryan Nembhard, who finished the regular season with 310 assists after dropping 15 on Saturday against San Francisco, was not among the five finalists for the Bob Cousy Award, passed over in favor of Mark Sears (Alabama), Walter Clayton Jr (Florida), Kam Jones (Marquette), Braden Smith (Purdue) and Zakai Zeigler (Tennessee).

After the regular season concluded for Purdue on Friday night, coach Matt Painter made his argument for Braden Smith as Big Ten Player of the Year.

March 5 (Wednesday) Lady Vols vs. Texas A&M, 11 a.m. SECN (SEC Tournament) Xavier @ Vols BSB, 6 p.m. SECN+ Vols at Ole Miss, 9 p.m. ESPN 2 March 7 (Friday) St. Bonaventure ... more

Alabama basketball star Mark Sears was named one of five finalists for the Bob Cousy Award on Monday. The honor is given to the nation's best point guard. The list was narrowed down exactly one month after Sears was named one of 10 semifinalists.

The trials of the 2024-25 season have paid off for Alabama basketball's Mark Sears. How fans can vote for who wins the Bob Cousy Award.

For the second straight year, Alabama's Mark Sears has been named one of five finalists for the Bob Cousy Award.

Florida basketball PG Walter Clayton Jr., who leads UF in both scoring and assists, was named a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award on Monday

This is the first time Zeigler has been named a finalist for the prestigious honor after receiving a midseason top 10 selection last year.