Back to the North Carolina Tar Heels Newsfeed

UNC Basketball: Justin Jackson named Naismith Trophy semifinalist

University of North Carolina junior Justin Jackson is one step closer to earning a major award.

Jackson was named a semifinalist for the Naismith Men’s Basketball Player of the Year award on Wednesday.

The announcement comes as Jackson is in the middle of a hot streak, helping UNC to wins over Virginia, Louisville and Pitt. Jackson struggled in the second meeting with Virginia on Monday.

Jackson joins nine others as finalists for the award to be handed out in April. Here is the full list of semifinalists announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club:

  • Lonzo Ball, UCLA
  • Ethan Happ, Wisconsin
  • Josh Hart, Villanova
  • Josh Jackson, Kansas
  • Justin Jackson, North Carolina
  • Luke Kennard, Duke
  • Frank Mason III, Kansas
  • Johnathan Motley, Baylor
  • Caleb Swanigan, Purdue
  • Nigel Williams-Goss, Gonzaga

Jackson is averaging 18.