Congratulations to our first ever @NaismithTrophy Defensive Player of the Year, presented by @BonaBuzz, Jevon Carter of @WVUhoops! — The Naismith Trophy (@NaismithTrophy) April 1, 2018

This isn’t an April Fools Day prank. Jevon Carter has won the Naismith Trophy Defensive Player of the Year award. This is the first time the award has been handed out and it couldn’t have gone to a more deserving player. Jevon Carter, the heart of the defense which has been a national leader in steals and turnovers and has been known as “Press Virginia” is the reigning National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Defensive Player of the Year, the two-time Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and a four-time Big 12 All-Defensive Team member.

In short, its a well-earned honor for the young man from Mayfield, Illinois. Carter set the West Virginia Mountaineers steals record this season, finishing his career with 330. He became one of only 25 players to ever record 100+ steals in a season. His 112 steals this season ranks 12th all time in a single season, just behind Tony Fairley’s 114 in the 1986-87 season.

Watch JC accept the @NaismithTrophy Defensive Player of the Year award in San Antonio. pic.twitter.com/daDrYCqSsb — WVU Basketball (@WVUhoops) April 1, 2018

Congrats to Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Jevon Carter repping “Press Virginia” at @NaismithTrophy awards this morning. @WVUhoops pic.twitter.com/c6qfrjuCkp — Keri Potts (@MsPotts_ATL) April 1, 2018