Cyclones’ Monte Morris named to Naismith Trophy 30

AMES – Iowa State senior point guard Monté Morris, the nation’s only player averaging at least 16 points, 5.0 assists, 4.0 rebounds and less than two turnovers, was named to the Naismith Trophy 30 today by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. The list includes the top 30 players in consideration for the 2017 James A. Naismith Trophy, which is presented to the nation’s most outstanding college basketball player.

Morris is leading the Cyclones with 16.1 points and a Big 12-best 5.7 assists per contest. The Flint, Michigan native has scored in double figures 19 times, including eight games with 20 or more points. His four games with 20 points, five assists and zero turnovers are the most nationally.

Morris has been at his best since the schedule flipped to Big 12 play. In league games, he is leading ISU with 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.9 assists.

As has been standard with his career, Morris is first nationally with a 5.46 assist-to-turnover ratio. In Big 12 play, Morris is averaging one turnover for every 47.4 minutes he plays.

Naismith Trophy Top-30
Dwayne Bacon, Florida State
Lonzo Ball, UCLA
Joel Berry II, North Carolina
Dillon Brooks, Oregon
Jalen Brunson, Villanova
Bonzie Colson, Notre Dame
Jawun Evans, Oklahoma State
Marcus Foster, Creighton
De’Aaron Fox, Kentucky
Markelle Fultz, Washington
Ethan Happ, Wisconsin
Josh Hart, Villanova
Josh Jackson, Kansas
Justin Jackson, North Carolina
Marcus Keene, Central Michigan
Luke Kennard, Duke
Jock Landale, St. Mary’s
TJ Leaf, UCLA
Lauri Markkanen, Arizona
Frank Mason III, Kansas
Donovan Mitchell, Louisville
Malik Monk, Kentucky
Monté Morris, Iowa State
Jonathan Motley, Baylor
Alec Peters, Valparaiso
Dennis Smith Jr., NC State
Caleb Swanigan, Purdue
Sindarius Thornwell, South Carolina
Melo Trimble, Maryland
Nigel Williams-Goss, Gonzaga