Iowa’s Luka Garza and UConn’s Paige Bueckers earn 2021 Naismith Player of the Year honors

Iowa senior Luka Garza was named the 2021 Men’s Naismith Player of the Year and UConn freshman Paige Bueckers was named the 2021 Women’s Naismith Player of the Year on Saturday. Garza had already been named the Associated Press and CBS Sports Player of the Year. Bueckers was named AP Women’s Player of the Year earlier in the week.

The announcement on CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ adds yet another accolade for the distinguished Hawkeyes star, who edged out Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham, Illinois’ Ayo Dosunmu and Gonzaga’s Corey Kispert, who were the other finalists. Bueckers beat out Kentucky’s Rhyne Howard, Louisville’s Dana Evans and South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston.

Garza was a finalist for the award last season before it went to Dayton forward Obi Toppin, but he left no doubt in his senior season, averaging 24.1 points and 8.7 rebounds per game for Iowa. The Hawkeyes went 22-9 on the season and earned a 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. 

Bueckers entered this weekend’s Final Four averaging 20.1 points, 5.9 assists and 2.3 steals per game. Her 45.9% 3-point shooting percentage also jumps off the page.  

Men’s Naismith Player of the Year winners

Women’s Naismith Player of the Year winners