The Top 30 list was compiled by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's Board of Selectors, comprised of leading basketball journalists, coaches and administrators from around the country. The board based its criteria on player performances this season. The list was narrowed down from the pre-season list of 50 candidates who were announced at the beginning of the season.
Beginning February 12, CBS' "Cingular at the Half" will feature a weekly Naismith Trophy Watch highlighting the players in contention. These players, and others who distinguish themselves throughout the season, will be eligible for the final ballot in March when four finalists for the award are announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's Board of Selectors. Last year's Naismith Trophy recipient was Saint Joseph's University guard Jameer Nelson.
The mid-season candidates for the Naismith Trophy presented by Cingular Wireless, listed in alphabetical order, are as follows:
Player Height Class Position School
Andrew Bogut 7'0" So. Forward/Center Utah
Josh Boone 6'10" So. Forward/Center Connecticut
Dee Brown 6'0" Jr. Guard Illinois
Taylor Coppenrath 6'9" Sr. Forward Vermont
Travis Diener 6'1" Sr. Guard Marquette
Ike Diogu 6'8" Jr. Forward/Center Arizona State
Raymond Felton 6'1" Jr. Guard North Carolina
Channing Frye 6'11" Sr. Center Arizona
Francisco Garcia 6'7" Jr. Forward Louisville
Ryan Gomes 6'7" Sr. Forward Providence
Joey Graham 6'7" Sr. Forward Oklahoma State
Luther Head 6'3" Sr. Guard Illinois
Julius Hodge 6'6" Sr. Guard North Carolina State
Jarrett Jack 6'3" Jr. Guard Georgia Tech
John Lucas 5'11" Sr. Guard Oklahoma State
Sean May 6'9" Jr. Forward/Center North Carolina
Rashad McCants 6'4" Jr. Forward/Guard North Carolina
Gerry McNamara 6'2" Jr. Guard Syracuse
Chris Paul 6'0" So. Guard Wake Forest
J.J. Redick 6'4" Jr. Guard Duke
Lawrence Roberts 6'9" Sr. Forward Mississippi State
Nate Robinson 5'9" Jr. Guard Washington
Wayne Simien 6'9" Sr. Forward Kansas
Craig Smith 6'7" Jr. Forward Boston College
Salim Stoudamire 6'1" Sr. Guard Arizona
Ronny Turiaf 6'10" Sr. Forward Gonzaga
Hakim Warrick 6'9" Sr. Forward Syracuse
Deron Williams 6'3" Jr. Guard Illinois
Shelden Williams 6'9" Jr. Forward Duke
Kennedy Winston 6'6" Jr. Forward Alabama