Koloko Named To Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List
TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona junior Christian Koloko was one of 15 men's basketball players from across the country to be named to the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List on Thursday.
Koloko leads the Pac-12 in total blocked shots (56), which is 28 more than second place. That total also ranks 13th in the country and he needs two more blocks to move into 10th place on the Arizona single-season blocked shots list. His career total of 116 is just one shy of seventh all-time at Arizona and he has the potential to reach the top 5 on the list.
The native of Cameroon is a big reason why Arizona leads the country in 2-point field goal percentage defense, allowing opponents to shoot 39.7% on 2-point field goals this season.
In addition to his defensive prowess, Koloko is averaging 13.1 points and 7.2 rebounds while shooting 63.9% from the floor, the 4th-best percentage of any player in the country, making a candidate for the Most Improved Player in the country.
Complete Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List
| Full Name | Class | Position | School | Conference |
| Walker Kessler | So. | F | Auburn | SEC |
| Jacob Gilyard | Sr. | G | Richmond | Atlantic 10 |
| Oscar Tshiebwe | Jr. | F | Kentucky | SEC |
| Chet Holmgren | Fr. | C | Gonzaga | WCC |
| Jamarion Sharp | Jr. | C | Western Kentucky | USA East |
| Christian Koloko | Jr. | C | Arizona | Pac-12 |
| Kevin McCullar | Jr. | G | Texas Tech | Big 12 |
| Mark Williams | So. | C | Duke | ACC |
| Tari Eason | So. | F | LSU | SEC |
| Tyrese Hunter | Fr. | G | Iowa State | Big 12 |
| Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua | Jr. | F | Baylor | Big 12 |
| Kennedy Chandler | Fr. | G | Tennessee | SEC |
| Posh Alexander | So. | G | St. John's | Big East |
| Trayce Jackson-Davis | Jr. | F | Indiana | Big Ten |
| Nathan Mensah | Sr. | F | San Diego State | Mountain West |