Five Finalists Announced for 2025 Bob Cousy Award

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced the finalists for the 2025 Bob Cousy Award on Monday. The Cousy Award is awarded annually to the top point guard in NCAA Division I men’s basketball, marking its 22nd year of recognizing elite talent.

Five standout players have made the finalist list this year: Mark Sears of Alabama, Walter Clayton Jr. of Florida, Kam Jones of Marquette, Braden Smith of Purdue, and Zakai Zeigler of Tennessee. The winner will be determined later in March, following a vote by the Cousy and Hall of Fame selection committees, with that result presented at a later date.

Fan voting will commence on March 7, allowing supporters to cast their votes online at hoophallawards.com. Each vote will count towards the committee’s decision, emphasizing the importance of fan engagement in the selection process.

Sears, in his fifth collegiate season and third with Alabama, is among the top scorers nationally, averaging 19.1 points and 5.0 assists per game. His performance has helped elevate Alabama to a projected top-two seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament with an overall record of 23-6.

Clayton Jr. has also been impressive for Florida, where he averages 16.9 points, 4.0 assists, and has a career-best 2.8 three-pointers per game. Florida holds an impressive 25-4 record this season, marking one of their best runs in a decade with Clayton Jr. playing a crucial role.

Jones, representing Marquette, is experiencing his best collegiate season, averaging 18.4 points, 6.2 assists, and securing 3.4 assists per turnover. He has been key to Marquette’s success, helping the team achieve a record of 22-7 and solidify its position as a top contender in the Big East.

Smith, a junior for Purdue, is having a breakout season with averages of 16.0 points and 8.7 assists per game, ranking second nationally in assists. Purdue has a 20-9 record, with Smith poised for further accolades as the season progresses.

Finally, Zeigler from Tennessee is notably having an exceptional year as he averages 13.7 points and 7.2 assists. He has led the SEC in assists, contributing to Tennessee’s successful campaign with an overall record of 24-5.

The winners of the 2025 Bob Cousy Award and the Nancy Lieberman Award, which recognizes the top point guard in women’s NCAA Division I basketball, will share the stage alongside nominees for other prestigious awards, including the Jerry West Award for shooting guards and the Julius Erving Award for small forwards, among others.

For more updates on the Bob Cousy and Nancy Lieberman Awards, visit hoophallawards.com and follow the official accounts on X and Instagram.