Penn State’s Ace Baldwin Jr. Named to Naismith Trophy Player of the Year Watch List

Penn State’s Ace Baldwin Jr. was named to the Naismith Trophy Men’s College Player of the Year Watch List, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced on Wednesday. The award annually honors the top player in college basketball.

Baldwin, the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, landed on the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Top 20 Preseason Watch List on Monday and was named a Preseason All-Big Ten selection on Oct. 1.

Baldwin is set to lead the Nittany Lions in the second year under head coach Mike Rhoades, who achieved a 16-17 record last season. Baldwin is one of the team’s five returning seniors, a group that should pair nicely with five true freshmen and four transfers.

Rhoades has long relied upon Baldwin to lead his teams over the past four seasons, dating back to his tenure at VCU. But it appears Baldwin is playing at a new level ahead of his final season of collegiate eligibility. Rhoades said last Wednesday Baldwin has had “by far” the best summer and preseason of his career.

The recent national recognition for Baldwin comes after a season in which he averaged 14.2 points, 6.0 assists and 2.7 steals per game en route to a third-team All-Big Ten selection.