BOSTON, Mass. – As just announced by collegeinsider.com, fifth year Gael and two time WCC Defensive Player of the Year
Mitchell Saxen has been named a finalist for the 2024-25 Lefty Driesell Award. The Lefty Driesell Award is presented annually to the top defensive player in division I college basketball, and is named for the late great Head Coach Lefty Driesell, who ranks as the eighth winningest coach in division I college basketball.
A year ago, Saxen earned his first WCC Defensive Player of the Year nod, and, after announcing his return for a fifth year, many wondered what he would do as an encore to his 43 block, 25 steal season. Those questions were answered clearly and concisely in 2024-25, as the big man from Seattle matched his block number from a year ago, and tallied 18 more steals than he did last year, making him the only player in the conference with 40+ blocks and 40+ steals. Saxen joined fellow Diamon Simpson as the only other Gael to win the WCC Defensive Player of the Year award in two consecutive seasons.
Here is the complete list of finalists for this award:
| Jadin Akins |
6-4 |
Sr. |
Michigan State |
| Zack Austin |
6-7 |
Sr. |
Pittsburgh |
| Ace Baldwin Jr. |
6-1 |
Sr. |
Penn State |
| TJ Bamba |
6-5 |
Sr. |
Oregon |
| Luke Bamgboye |
6-10 |
Fr. |
VCU |
| Jared Billups |
6-4 |
Sr. |
George Mason |
| Johni Broome |
6-10 |
Sr. |
Auburn |
| Alex Condon |
6-11 |
So. |
Florida |
| LJ Cryer |
6-1 |
Sr. |
Houston |
| Cooper Flagg |
6-9 |
Fr. |
Duke |
| Hayden Gray |
6-4 |
Sr. |
UC San Diego |
| Magoon Gwath |
7-0 |
Fr. |
San Diego State |
| Chucky Hepburn |
6-2 |
Sr. |
Louisville |
| Sion James |
6-6 |
Sr. |
Duke |
| Kobe Johnson |
6-6 |
Sr. |
UCLA |
| Denver Jones |
6-4 |
Sr. |
Auburn |
| Ryan Kalkbrenner |
7-1 |
Sr. |
Creighton |
| Tamin Lipsey |
6-1 |
Jr. |
Iowa State |
| Jahmai Mashack |
6-4 |
Sr. |
Tennessee |
| Bez Mbeng |
6-4 |
Sr. |
Yale |
| Stevie Mitchell |
6-3 |
Sr. |
Marquette |
| Micah Peavy |
6-8 |
Sr. |
Georgetown |
| Kadary Richmond |
6-6 |
Sr. |
St. John's |
| J'Wan Roberts |
6-8 |
Sr. |
Houston |
| Mitchell Saxen |
6-10 |
Sr. |
Saint Mary's |
| Devion Smith |
6-0 |
Sr. |
St. John's |
| Joseph Tugler |
6-8 |
So. |
Houston |
| Amari Williams |
7-0 |
Sr. |
Kentucky |
| Malcolm Wilson |
7-0 |
Sr. |
Queens |
| Zakai Zeigler |
5-9 |
Sr. |
Tennessee |
The 2025 award will be announced in San Antonio, TX, site of the men's Division I Basketball Championship.
#GaelsRise
