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Williams Named Finalist for Naismith Defensive Player of the Year

ATLANTA – Duke sophomore Mark Williams has been named one of four finalists for the Naismith Men's Defensive Player of the Year Award, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Tuesday.

Williams leads the ACC and ranks 12th nationally in blocked shots per game (2.76), while his 94 total blocks are the fifth most in the NCAA. The Virginia Beach, Va., native has 27 games with multiple rejections this season, the third-most nationally and tied for the most among power conference players.

The ACC Defensive Player of the Year is also seventh in the league in rebounds (7.