Pitino, Scheyer Among Naismith Coach of the Year Finalists

Eze Nwakamma and Javen Colbert have been recognized for their outstanding performances in high school basketball, with Nwakamma leading Mansfield Lake Ridge to a successful season and Colbert becoming the top scorer in Texas. On the college front, Rick Pitino of St. John's, Jon Scheyer of Duke, Bruce Pearl of Auburn, and Kelvin Sampson of Houston have been named finalists for the Naismith National Coach of the Year. Pitino revitalized St. John's, leading them to a 31-5 record and a Big East championship. Scheyer guided Duke to an ACC championship and a Sweet 16 appearance with a young team featuring standout player Cooper Flagg. Meanwhile, West Virginia is on the hunt for a new head coach as Darian DeVries is expected to join Indiana, marking another shift in their coaching lineup. The winner of the Naismith award will be announced on April 4, 2025.