Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Matthews Selected To Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List
February 05, 2025 | Men's Basketball
by Matt Dunaway, Director/Communications
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ATLANTA, Georgia – Mississippi State's Cameron Matthews has been chosen to the 2024-25 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List announced Wednesday by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.
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State has had a player on the 15-player watch list during two of the last three seasons under Chris Jans. Matthews is one of six SEC players among the 15 standout players from across the country.
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Over the last three seasons, Matthews has started 88 of 91 outings where he has compiled a cumulative +648 plus/minus ratio under Coach Jans. He has dialed up at least a +10 mark on 35 occasions and amassed a +20 mark 13 times.
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Matthews is the SEC leader in steals per game (2.59) this season where he's also ranked among the nation's top 10. His 249 career steals are a State program record, and he checks in tied for 5th among NCAA active players. Â
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State is ranked No. 22 in this week's Associated Press Top 25 and returns to action following its midweek bye at Georgia on Saturday evening. Tip time is slated for 5 p.m. CT televised by SEC Network and available on the ESPN app.
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ATLANTA, Georgia – Mississippi State's Cameron Matthews has been chosen to the 2024-25 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List announced Wednesday by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.
Â
State has had a player on the 15-player watch list during two of the last three seasons under Chris Jans. Matthews is one of six SEC players among the 15 standout players from across the country.
Â
Over the last three seasons, Matthews has started 88 of 91 outings where he has compiled a cumulative +648 plus/minus ratio under Coach Jans. He has dialed up at least a +10 mark on 35 occasions and amassed a +20 mark 13 times.
Â
Matthews is the SEC leader in steals per game (2.59) this season where he's also ranked among the nation's top 10. His 249 career steals are a State program record, and he checks in tied for 5th among NCAA active players. Â
Â
State is ranked No. 22 in this week's Associated Press Top 25 and returns to action following its midweek bye at Georgia on Saturday evening. Tip time is slated for 5 p.m. CT televised by SEC Network and available on the ESPN app.
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2024-25 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List
Ace Baldwin Jr., Penn State
Johni Broome, Auburn
Lamont Butler, Kentucky
Cooper Flagg, Duke
Hayden Gray, UC San Diego
Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton
Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State
Jahmai Mashack, Tennessee
Cameron Matthews, Mississippi State
Stevie Mitchell, Marquette
Clifford Omoruyi, Alabama
Jayden Quaintance, Arizona State
Kadary Richmond, St. John's
Joseph Tugler, Houston
Zakai Zeigler, Tennessee
Johni Broome, Auburn
Lamont Butler, Kentucky
Cooper Flagg, Duke
Hayden Gray, UC San Diego
Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton
Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State
Jahmai Mashack, Tennessee
Cameron Matthews, Mississippi State
Stevie Mitchell, Marquette
Clifford Omoruyi, Alabama
Jayden Quaintance, Arizona State
Kadary Richmond, St. John's
Joseph Tugler, Houston
Zakai Zeigler, Tennessee
Fans can purchase single game tickets for the program's remaining home games through Mississippi State's Athletic Ticket Office at www.HailState.com/tickets or by calling (662) 325-2600 / (888) 463-2947 (GO DAWGS).
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Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on the men's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on its official social media accounts by searching 'HailStateMBK' on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
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