Syracuse basketball's starting centers for both the women's and men's programs are in the running for a top national defensive honor.
According to press releases and social media posts, the watch list is out for the women's and men's Naismith defensive player of the year in the 2025-26 season. Syracuse women's basketball freshman Uche Izoje made the cut, as did men's senior William Kyle III.
A huge congrats to each of them! Each watch list includes 25 players.
The 6-foot-3 Izoje, who comes from Nigeria, is a leading contender to win the Atlantic Coast Conference's rookie of the year award in 2025-26. She has already earned six ACC rookie of the week honors this season.
Uche Izoje has been named to the @NaismithTrophy Defensive Player of the Year Watch List
— Syracuse Women's Basketball (@CuseWBB) January 27, 2026
Read More: https://t.co/lApbuvCfiA pic.twitter.com/OQ0NAVqfNi
Syracuse women's basketball (16-4 overall, 6-3 in the ACC) will host Georgia Tech on Thursday night, beginning at 6:00 pm. The Orange is in a good position to make this spring's NCAA Tournament.
Izoje is averaging 27.2 minutes, 14.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.8 blocks per game while making 55.5 percent from the field. Within the ACC, she is No. 4 in rebounds per contest and No. 1 in blocks per encounter. Her 2.8 blocks per affair are No. 6 nationally.
Syracuse basketball centers are having strong defensive terms.
On the men's side, the 6-foot-9 Kyle, a transfer by way of UCLA and South Dakota State who hails from Bellevue, Neb., has proven a consistent paint presence for the Orange. His athleticism is off the charts, and Kyle has received some 2026 NBA Draft buzz.
The 'Cuse (12-9 overall, 3-5 in ACC) looks to snap a four-game skid when it welcomes Notre Dame to the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday night. Kyle is averaging 27.9 minutes, 9.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.7 blocks per contest while connecting on 66.9 percent from the field.
Defensive excellence recognized.
— Naismith Awards (@NaismithTrophy) January 29, 2026
Introducing the 2026 Naismith Men’s College Defensive Player of the Year Presented by @moleculesleep Watch List. pic.twitter.com/uMliGzg0JV
Within the ACC, Kyle is No. 11 in rebounds and No. 1 in blocks per game. His 2.7 blocks per contest are tied for No. 3 nationally. Former Syracuse basketball player Maliq Brown, a senior big man at Duke, is also on the men's watch list.
The winners of the Naismith defensive player of the year honors in both women's and men's basketball are expected to be revealed during the Final Four weekend of the 2026 NCAA Tournaments.