View source for NABC Player of the Year

{{Short description|National Association of Basketball Coaches award}}
{{infobox sports award
| name        = NABC Player of the Year
| image       =
| imagesize   = 170px
| caption     = 
| description = the most outstanding men's basketball players in all levels of competition
| presenter   = [[National Association of Basketball Coaches|NABC]]<br> [[State Farm Insurance]]
| country     = United States
| location    = 
| year        = 1975
| holder      = {{nowrap|[[NCAA Division I|NCAA DI]]: [[Cooper Flagg]], [[2024–25 Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team|Duke]]}}<br>{{nowrap|[[NCAA Division II|NCAA DII]]: [[MJ Iraldi]], [[Nova Southeastern Sharks men's basketball|Nova Southeastern]]}}<br>{{nowrap|[[NCAA Division III|NCAA DIII]]: Octavio Brito, [[Keene State College|Keene State]]}}<br>{{nowrap|[[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics|NAIA]]: Kashie Natt, [[LSU–Alexandria Generals|LSU–Alexandria]]}}<br>{{nowrap|Two-year schools: Jemel Jones, [[South Suburban College|South Suburban]]}}
| website     = [https://nabc.com/awards/poy/ Official website]
}}
The '''NABC Player of the Year''' is an award given annually by the [[National Association of Basketball Coaches]] (NABC) to recognize the top player in men's [[college basketball]] across the three largest [[college athletic association]]s in the United States. The award has been given since the 1974–75 season to [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] (NCAA) [[NCAA Division I|Division I]] basketball players, and since the 1982–83 season to its [[NCAA Division II|Division II]] and [[NCAA Division III|Division III]] players. The award has been given since the 2007–08 season to [[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics]] (NAIA) and to two-year schools' players. The awards have previously been sponsored by [[State Farm Insurance]].

At NCAA Division I, [[Duke Blue Devils men's basketball|Duke]] has the most all-time awards with six and the most separate recipients with five. Their rival, [[North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball|North Carolina]], as well as [[Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball|Kansas]] are tied for second in both awards and individual recipients, with four each. There have been three ties for NABC Player of the Year (2002, 2004, 2006), and only three players have won the award multiple times ([[Jay Williams (basketball)|Jason Williams]], [[Ralph Sampson]], and [[Zach Edey]], with Sampson and Edey having been the sole winner of two awards).

At NCAA Division II, [[Virginia Union Panthers|Virginia Union]] leads for most awards with four and individual recipients with three. It is followed by [[Florida Southern Moccasins|Florida Southern]], [[Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers men's basketball|Kentucky Wesleyan]], [[Metro State Roadrunners men's basketball|Metro State]], [[Northwest Missouri State Bearcats men's basketball|Northwest Missouri State]], and [[Winona State Warriors|Winona State]] with three awards each. Among these schools, Northwest Missouri and Winona State each have one two-time recipient. Only one tie has occurred (2006), while four players have won the award more than once ([[Stan Gouard]], [[Earl Jones (basketball)|Earl Jones]], [[John Smith (basketball, born 1984)|John Smith]], and [[Trevor Hudgins]]).

At NCAA Division III, three programs are tied for the most awards—[[Amherst College|Amherst]], [[Cabrini University|Cabrini]], and [[State University of New York at Potsdam|Potsdam State]]. Each has had one two-time recipient. Four other programs have had two recipients—[[Calvin University|Calvin]], [[Guilford Quakers|Guilford]], [[Otterbein University|Otterbein]], and [[Wittenberg University|Wittenberg]]. There have been two ties (2007, 2010) and four repeat winners (Leroy Witherspoon, Andrew Olson, Aaron Walton-Moss and Joey Flannery).

At the NAIA, the NABC presented a single award in the 2007–08 season, even though the NAIA had held separate Division I and Division II national championships since 1992. The following season, the NABC began presenting separate awards in Divisions I and II, and continued to do so through the 2019–20 season. After that season, the NAIA eliminated its basketball divisions, returning to a single championship for all members, and the NABC accordingly returned to a presenting a single NAIA award. During the divisional era, Division I member [[Georgetown Tigers|Georgetown (KY)]] received the most awards and had the most individual recipients, with three each. The only player to have won more than one Division I award is Dominique Rambo of [[Southwestern Assemblies of God University|SAGU]], who shared the 2013 award and was sole recipient in 2014. The only other school with more than one D-I recipient is [[Oklahoma Baptist Bison|Oklahoma Baptist]] with two. The only player with more than one Division II award is [[Dominez Burnett]], who received two awards with [[Davenport Panthers|Davenport]]. Two other programs, Northwood (FL) (now [[Keiser Seahawks|Keiser]]) and [[Oklahoma Wesleyan University|Oklahoma Wesleyan]], had two D-II recipients. One other player received the award in both the divisional and non-divisional eras: [[Kyle Mangas]] of [[Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats|Indiana Wesleyan]] received the final Division II award in 2020 and the single award in 2021. 

At two-year schools, every winner has been a [[Sophomore year|sophomore]] and had gone on to play at an NCAA Division I school after their community college careers ended until 2020. [[Jay Scrubb]], that year's winner, hired an agent and declared for the [[2020 NBA draft]], thereby forgoing his remaining collegiate eligibility. He had committed to [[Louisville Cardinals men's basketball|Louisville]] prior to renouncing that decision to enter the NBA draft pool.

==Key==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| style="background-color:#CFECEC;" | †
| Co-Players of the Year
|-
| Player (X)
| Denotes the number of times the player has received the player of the year award
|}

==NCAA==
===Division I===
[[File:David_Thompson_NC_State.jpg |thumb|upright|180px|[[David Thompson (basketball)|David Thompson]] of [[NC State Wolfpack men's basketball|North Carolina State]] won the first award in 1975.]]
[[File:Danny_Ainge_BYU.jpg |thumb|upright|180px|[[Danny Ainge]] of [[BYU Cougars men's basketball|BYU]] won in 1981.]]
[[File:Emeka Okafor UConn 2004.jpg|thumb|upright|180px|[[Emeka Okafor]] shared the award in 2004, also leading UConn to the national title.]]
[[File:Durant.png|thumb|upright|180px|[[Kevin Durant]] of [[Texas Longhorns men's basketball|Texas]] was the first freshman to win the award, in 2007.]]
[[File:Oscar Tshiebwe Kentucky (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|180px|In 2022, [[Oscar Tshiebwe]] became the first player from [[Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball|Kentucky]] to win the award.]]
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
! Season
! Player
! School
! Position
! Class
|-
| [[1974–75 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1974–75]]
| {{sortname|David|Thompson|dab=basketball}}
| [[NC State Wolfpack men's basketball|NC State]]
| [[Shooting guard|SG]] / [[Small forward|SF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| [[1975–76 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1975–76]]
| {{sortname|Scott|May}}
| [[Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball|Indiana]]
| [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| [[1976–77 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1976–77]]
| {{sortname|Marques|Johnson}}
| [[UCLA Bruins men's basketball|UCLA]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]] / [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| [[1977–78 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1977–78]]
| {{sortname|Phil|Ford|dab=basketball}}
| [[North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball|North Carolina]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| [[1978–79 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1978–79]]
| {{sortname|Larry|Bird}}
| [[Indiana State Sycamores men's basketball|Indiana State]]
| [[Small forward|SF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| [[1979–80 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1979–80]]
| {{sortname|Michael|Brooks|dab=basketball}}
| [[La Salle Explorers men's basketball|La Salle]]
| [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| [[1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1980–81]]
| {{sortname|Danny|Ainge}}
| [[BYU Cougars men's basketball|BYU]]
| [[Shooting guard|SG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| [[1981–82 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1981–82]]
| {{sortname|Ralph|Sampson}} 
| [[Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball|Virginia]]
| [[Center (basketball)|C]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}} 
|-
| [[1982–83 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1982–83]]
| {{sortname|Ralph|Sampson}} (2)
| [[Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball|Virginia]]
| [[Center (basketball)|C]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}} 
|-
| [[1983–84 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1983–84]]
| {{sortname|Michael|Jordan}}
| [[North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball|North Carolina]]
| [[Shooting guard|SG]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}} 
|-
| [[1984–85 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1984–85]]
| {{sortname|Patrick|Ewing}}
| [[Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball|Georgetown]]
| [[Center (basketball)|C]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| [[1985–86 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1985–86]]
| {{sortname|Walter|Berry|dab=basketball}}
| [[St. John's Red Storm men's basketball|St. John's]]
| [[Power forward|PF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| [[1986–87 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1986–87]]
| {{sortname|David|Robinson}}
| [[Navy Midshipmen men's basketball|Navy]]
| [[Center (basketball)|C]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| [[1987–88 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1987–88]]
| {{sortname|Danny|Manning}}
| [[1987–88 Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team|Kansas]]
| [[Power forward|PF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| [[1988–89 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1988–89]]
| {{sortname|Sean|Elliott}}
| [[1988–89 Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team|Arizona]]
| [[Small forward|SF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| [[1989–90 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1989–90]]
| {{sortname|Lionel|Simmons}}
| [[1989–90 La Salle Explorers men's basketball team|La Salle]]
| [[Small forward|SF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| [[1990–91 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1990–91]]
| {{sortname|Larry|Johnson|dab=basketball, born 1969}}
| [[1990–91 UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball team|UNLV]]
| [[Power forward|PF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| [[1991–92 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1991–92]]
| {{sortname|Christian|Laettner}}
| [[Duke Blue Devils men's basketball|Duke]]
| [[Power forward|PF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| [[1992–93 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1992–93]]
| {{sortname|Calbert|Cheaney}}
| [[Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball|Indiana]]
| [[Small forward|SF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| [[1993–94 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1993–94]]
| {{sortname|Glenn|Robinson}}
| [[Purdue Boilermakers men's basketball|Purdue]]
| [[Small forward|SF]] / [[Power forward|PF]]
| {{sort|2|Sophomore}}
|-
| [[1994–95 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1994–95]]
| {{sortname|Shawn|Respert}}
| [[Michigan State Spartans men's basketball|Michigan State]]
| [[Shooting guard|SG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| [[1995–96 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1995–96]]
| {{sortname|Marcus|Camby}}
| [[UMass Minutemen basketball|UMass]]
| [[Center (basketball)|C]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| [[1996–97 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1996–97]]
| {{sortname|Tim|Duncan}} 
| [[Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball|Wake Forest]]
| [[Center (basketball)|C]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| [[1997–98 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1997–98]]
| {{sortname|Antawn|Jamison}} 
| [[North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball|North Carolina]]
| [[Small forward|SF]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| [[1998–99 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1998–99]]
| {{sortname|Elton|Brand}} 
| [[Duke Blue Devils men's basketball|Duke]]
| [[Center (basketball)|C]] 
| {{sort|2|Sophomore}}
|-
| [[1999–2000 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1999–00]]
| {{sortname|Kenyon|Martin}} 
| [[Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball|Cincinnati]]
| [[Power forward|PF]] 
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| [[2000–01 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2000–01]]
| {{sortname|Jay|Williams|dab=basketball}} 
| [[Duke Blue Devils men's basketball|Duke]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|2|Sophomore}}
|-
| style="background-color:#CFECEC;" rowspan=2| [[2001–02 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2001–02]]<sup>†</sup>
| {{sortname|Drew|Gooden}}
| [[Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball|Kansas]]
| [[Center (basketball)|C]] 
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| {{sortname|Jay|Williams|dab=basketball}} (2)
| [[Duke Blue Devils men's basketball|Duke]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| [[2002–03 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2002–03]]
| {{sortname|Nick|Collison}} 
| [[Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball|Kansas]]
| [[Power forward|PF]] 
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| style="background-color:#CFECEC;" rowspan=2| [[2003–04 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2003–04]]<sup>†</sup>
| {{sortname|Jameer|Nelson}} 
| [[Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball|Saint Joseph's]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| {{sortname|Emeka|Okafor}} 
| [[UConn Huskies men's basketball|UConn]]
| [[Center (basketball)|C]] 
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| [[2004–05 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2004–05]]
| {{sortname|Andrew|Bogut}} 
| [[Utah Utes men's basketball|Utah]]
| [[Center (basketball)|C]] 
| {{sort|2|Sophomore}}
|-
| style="background-color:#CFECEC;" rowspan=2| [[2005–06 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2005–06]]<sup>†</sup>
| {{sortname|Adam|Morrison}} 
| [[Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball|Gonzaga]]
| [[Small forward|SF]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| {{sortname|JJ|Redick}} 
| [[Duke Blue Devils men's basketball|Duke]]
| [[Shooting guard|SG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| [[2006–07 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2006–07]]
| {{sortname|Kevin|Durant}} 
| [[Texas Longhorns men's basketball|Texas]]
| [[Small forward|SF]]
| {{sort|1|Freshman}}
|-
| [[2007–08 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2007–08]]
| {{sortname|Tyler|Hansbrough}} 
| [[North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball|North Carolina]]
| [[Power forward|PF]] 
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| [[2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2008–09]]
| {{sortname|Blake|Griffin}} 
| [[Oklahoma Sooners men's basketball|Oklahoma]]
| [[Power forward|PF]] 
| {{sort|2|Sophomore}}
|-
| [[2009–10 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2009–10]]
| {{sortname|Evan|Turner}} 
| [[Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball|Ohio State]]
| [[Small forward|SF]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| [[2010–11 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2010–11]]
| {{sortname|Jimmer|Fredette}} 
| [[BYU Cougars men's basketball|BYU]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| [[2011–12 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2011–12]]
| {{sortname|Draymond|Green}}
| [[Michigan State Spartans men's basketball|Michigan State]]
| [[Power forward|PF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| [[2012–13 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2012–13]]
| {{sortname|Trey|Burke}} 
| [[Michigan Wolverines men's basketball|Michigan]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|2|Sophomore}}
|-
| [[2013–14 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2013–14]]
| {{sortname|Doug|McDermott}} 
| [[Creighton Bluejays men's basketball|Creighton]]
| [[Small forward|SF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| [[2014–15 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2014–15]]
| {{sortname|Frank|Kaminsky}} 
| [[Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball|Wisconsin]]
| [[Power forward|PF]] / [[Center (basketball)|C]] 
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| [[2015–16 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2015–16]]
| {{sortname|Denzel|Valentine}} 
| [[Michigan State Spartans men's basketball|Michigan State]]
| [[Shooting guard|SG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| [[2016–17 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2016–17]]
| {{sortname|Frank|Mason III}}
| [[Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball|Kansas]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| [[2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2017–18]]
| {{sortname|Jalen|Brunson}}
| [[Villanova Wildcats men's basketball|Villanova]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| [[2018–19 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2018–19]]
| {{sortname|Zion|Williamson}}
| [[Duke Blue Devils men's basketball|Duke]]
| [[Small forward|SF]] / [[Power forward|PF]]
| {{sort|1|Freshman}}
|-
| [[2019–20 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2019–20]]
| {{sortname|Obi|Toppin}}
| [[Dayton Flyers men's basketball|Dayton]]
| [[Power forward|PF]]
| {{sort|2|Sophomore}}
|-
| [[2020–21 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2020–21]]
| {{sortname|Luka|Garza}}
| [[Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball|Iowa]]
| [[Center (basketball)|C]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| [[2021–22 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2021–22]]
| {{sortname|Oscar|Tshiebwe}}
| [[Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball|Kentucky]]
| [[Center (basketball)|C]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| [[2022–23 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2022–23]]
| {{sortname|Zach|Edey}}
| [[Purdue Boilermakers men's basketball|Purdue]]
| [[Center (basketball)|C]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| [[2023–24 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2023–24]]
| {{sortname|Zach|Edey}} (2)
| [[Purdue Boilermakers men's basketball|Purdue]]
| [[Center (basketball)|C]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| [[2024–25 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2024–25]]
| {{sortname|Cooper|Flagg}}
| [[Duke Blue Devils men's basketball|Duke]]
| [[Shooting guard|SG]] / [[Small forward|SF]]
| {{sort|1|Freshman}}
|}

===Division II===
[[File:Charles Oakley.jpg|thumb|upright|180px|[[Charles Oakley]] won in 1985 and later became an [[NBA All-Star Game|NBA All-Star]] while playing for the [[New York Knicks]].]]
[[File:Braydon Hobbs G46.jpg|thumb|upright|180px|[[Braydon Hobbs]] won the award in 2012 with [[Bellarmine Knights men's basketball|Bellarmine]].]]
[[File:Zach_Hankins_PIT.jpg|thumb|upright|180px|[[Zach Hankins]] won the award in 2018 with [[Ferris State Bulldogs men's basketball|Ferris State]].]]
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
! Season
! Player
! School
! Position
! Class
|-
| 1982–83 
| {{sortname|Earl|Jones|dab=basketball}}
| [[District of Columbia Firebirds men's basketball|District of Columbia]]
| [[Center (basketball)|C]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| 1983–84 
| {{sortname|Earl|Jones|dab=basketball}} (2)
| [[District of Columbia Firebirds men's basketball|District of Columbia]]
| [[Center (basketball)|C]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 1984–85 
| {{sortname|Charles|Oakley}}
| [[Virginia Union Panthers men's basketball|Virginia Union]]
| [[Power forward|PF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 1985–86 
| {{sortname|Todd|Linder}}
| [[Tampa Spartans men's basketball|Tampa]]
| [[Small forward|SF]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| 1986–87 
| {{sortname|Ralph|Tally}}
| [[Norfolk State Spartans men's basketball|Norfolk State]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 1987–88 
| {{sortname|Jerry|Johnson|dab=basketball, born 1966}}
| [[Florida Southern Moccasins men's basketball|Florida Southern]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 1988–89 
| {{sortname|Kris|Kearney}}
| [[Florida Southern Moccasins men's basketball|Florida Southern]]
| [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 1989–90
| {{sortname|A. J.|English}}
| [[Virginia Union Panthers men's basketball|Virginia Union]]
| [[Shooting guard|SG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 1990–91 
| {{sortname|Corey|Crowder}}
| [[Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers men's basketball|Kentucky Wesleyan]]
| [[Small forward|SF]] / [[Shooting guard|SG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 1991–92 
| {{sortname|Eric|Manuel}}
| [[Oklahoma City Stars men's basketball|Oklahoma City]]
| [[Small forward|SF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 1992–93 
| {{sortname|Alex|Wright|dab=basketball}}
| [[Central Oklahoma Bronchos men's basketball|Central Oklahoma]]
| [[Shooting guard|SG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 1993–94 
| {{sortname|Derrick|Johnson|dab=basketball}}
| [[Virginia Union Panthers men's basketball|Virginia Union]]
| [[Center (basketball)|C]] / [[Power forward|PF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 1994–95 
| {{sortname|Stan|Gouard}}
| [[Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles men's basketball|Southern Indiana]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| 1995–96 
| {{sortname|Stan|Gouard}} (2)
| [[Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles|Southern Indiana]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 1996–97 
| {{sortname|Kebu|Stewart}}
| [[Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners men's basketball|Cal State Bakersfield]]
| [[Power forward|PF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 1997–98 
| {{sortname|Joe|Newton|dab=basketball}}
| [[Central Oklahoma Bronchos men's basketball|Central Oklahoma]]
| [[Point guard|PG]] / [[Shooting guard|SG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 1998–99 
| {{sortname|Antonio|García|dab=basketball}}
| [[Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers men's basketball|Kentucky Wesleyan]]
| [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 1999–00 
| {{sortname|Ajumu|Gaines}}
| [[Charleston Golden Eagles men's basketball|Charleston (WV)]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2000–01 
| {{sortname|Colin|Ducharme}}
| [[Longwood Lancers men's basketball|Longwood]]
| [[Power forward|PF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2001–02 
| {{sortname|Ronald|Murray}}
| [[Shaw Bears men's basketball|Shaw]]
| [[Shooting guard|SG]] / [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2002–03 
| {{sortname|Marlon|Parmer}}
| [[Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers men's basketball|Kentucky Wesleyan]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2003–04 
| {{sortname|Elad|Inbar}}
| [[UMass Lowell River Hawks men's basketball|UMass Lowell]]
| [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2004–05 
| {{sortname|Mark|Worthington}}
| [[Metro State Roadrunners men's basketball|Metro State]]
| [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| style="background-color:#CFECEC;" rowspan=2| 2005–06<sup>†</sup>
| {{sortname|Darius|Hargrove}}
| [[Virginia Union Panthers men's basketball|Virginia Union]]
| [[Shooting guard|SG]] / [[Small forward|SF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| {{sortname|Turner|Trofholz}}
| [[South Dakota Coyotes men's basketball|South Dakota]]
| [[Power forward|PF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2006–07 
| {{sortname|John|Smith|dab=basketball, born 1984}}
| [[Winona State Warriors men's basketball|Winona State]]
| [[Center (basketball)|C]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| 2007–08 
| {{sortname|John|Smith|dab=basketball, born 1984}} (2)
| [[Winona State Warriors men's basketball|Winona State]]
| [[Center (basketball)|C]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2008–09 
| {{sortname|Josh|Bostic}}
| [[Findlay Oilers men's basketball|Findlay]]
| [[Small forward|SF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2009–10 
| {{sortname|Jason|Westrol}}
| [[Bentley Falcons men's basketball|Bentley]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2010–11 
| {{sortname|Darryl|Webb}}
| [[IUP Crimson Hawks men's basketball|Indiana (PA)]]
| [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2011–12
| {{sortname|Braydon|Hobbs}}
| [[Bellarmine Knights men's basketball|Bellarmine]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2012–13
| {{sortname|Clayton|Vette}}
| [[Winona State Warriors men's basketball|Winona State]]
| [[Power forward|PF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2013–14
| {{sortname|Brandon|Jefferson}}
| [[Metro State Roadrunners men's basketball|Metro State]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2014–15
| {{sortname|Mitch|McCarron}}
| [[Metro State Roadrunners men's basketball|Metro State]]
| [[Shooting guard|SG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2015–16
| {{sortname|Dan|Jansen|dab=basketball}}
| [[Augustana University Vikings men's basketball|Augustana (SD)]]
| [[Power forward|PF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2016–17
| {{sortname|Justin|Pitts}}
| [[Northwest Missouri State Bearcats men's basketball|Northwest Missouri State]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| 2017–18
| {{sortname|Zach|Hankins}}
| [[Ferris State Bulldogs men's basketball|Ferris State]]
| [[Center (basketball)|C]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| 2018–19
| {{sortname|Daulton|Hommes}}
| [[Point Loma Nazarene Sea Lions men's basketball|Point Loma Nazarene]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| 2019–20
| {{sortname|Brett|Hanson}}
| [[Florida Southern Moccasins men's basketball|Florida Southern]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2020–21
| {{sortname|Trevor|Hudgins}}
| [[Northwest Missouri State Bearcats men's basketball|Northwest Missouri State]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| 2021–22
| {{sortname|Trevor|Hudgins}} (2)
| [[Northwest Missouri State Bearcats men's basketball|Northwest Missouri State]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2022–23
| {{sortname|RJ|Sunahara}}
| [[Nova Southeastern Sharks men's basketball|Nova Southeastern]]
| [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| 2023–24
| {{sortname|KJ|Jones II}}
| [[Emmanuel Lions men's basketball|Emmanuel]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2024–25
| {{sortname|MJ|Iraldi}}
| [[Nova Southeastern Sharks men's basketball|Nova Southeastern]]
| [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|5|Graduate}}
|}

===Division III===
[[File:JimmyBartolotta.jpg|thumb|upright|180px|[[Jimmy Bartolotta]] was the first recipient to play for [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]]. He was the Division III Player of the Year in 2008–09.]]
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
! Season
! Player
! School
! Position
! Class
|-
| 1982–83 
| {{sortname|Leroy|Witherspoon|nolink=1}}
| [[State University of New York at Potsdam|Potsdam State]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| 1983–84 
| {{sortname|Leroy|Witherspoon|nolink=1}} (2)
| [[State University of New York at Potsdam|Potsdam State]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 1984–85 
| {{sortname|Tim|Casey|nolink=1}}
| [[Wittenberg University|Wittenberg]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 1985–86 
| {{sortname|Dick|Hempy|nolink=1}}
| [[Otterbein College|Otterbein]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| 1986–87 
| {{sortname|Brendan|Mitchell|nolink=1}}
| [[State University of New York at Potsdam|Potsdam State]]
| [[Small forward|SF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 1987–88 
| {{sortname|Scott|Tedder|nolink=1}}
| [[Ohio Wesleyan University|Ohio Wesleyan]]
| [[Small forward|SF]] / [[Shooting guard|SG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 1988–89 
| {{sortname|Greg|Grant|dab=basketball, born 1966}}
| [[TCNJ Lions men's basketball|TCNJ]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 1989–90 
| {{sortname|Matt|Hancock|nolink=1}}
| [[Colby College|Colby]]
| [[Shooting guard|SG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 1990–91 
| {{sortname|Brad|Baldridge|nolink=1}}
| [[Wittenberg University|Wittenberg]]
| [[Center (basketball)|C]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 1991–92 
| {{sortname|Andre|Foreman|nolink=1}}
| [[Salisbury Sea Gulls|Salisbury State]]
| [[Power forward|PF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 1992–93 
| {{sortname|Steve|Hondred|nolink=1}}
| [[Calvin Knights|Calvin]]
| [[Center (basketball)|C]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 1993–94 
| {{sortname|Scott|Fitch|nolink=1}}
| [[Geneseo Knights|SUNY Geneseo]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 1994–95 
| {{sortname|D'Artis|Jones|nolink=1}}
| [[Ohio Northern University|Ohio Northern]]
| [[Shooting guard|SG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 1995–96 
| {{sortname|David|Benter|nolink=1}}
| [[Hanover College|Hanover]]
| [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 1996–97 
| {{sortname|Bryan|Crabtree|nolink=1}}
| [[Illinois Wesleyan University|Illinois Wesleyan]]
| [[Small forward|SF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 1997–98 
| {{sortname|Mike|Nogelo|nolink=1}}
| [[Williams Ephs men's basketball|Williams]]
| [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 1998–99 
| {{sortname|Merrill|Brunson|nolink=1}}
| [[Wisconsin–Platteville Pioneers|Wisconsin–Platteville]]
| [[Point guard|PG]] / [[Shooting guard|SG]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| 1999–00 
| {{sortname|Aaron|Winkle|nolink=1}}
| [[Calvin Knights|Calvin]]
| [[Power forward|PF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2000–01 
| {{sortname|Horace|Jenkins}}
| [[William Paterson Pioneers men's basketball|William Paterson]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2001–02 
| {{sortname|Jeff|Gibbs}}
| [[Otterbein College|Otterbein]]
| [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2002–03 
| {{sortname|Bryan|Nelson|nolink=1}}
| [[College of Wooster|Wooster]]
| [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2003–04 
| {{sortname|Richard|Melzer}}
| [[Wisconsin–River Falls Falcons|Wisconsin–River Falls]]
| [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2004–05 
| {{sortname|Jason|Kalsow|nolink=1}}
| [[Wisconsin–Stevens Point Pointers|Wisconsin–Stevens Point]]
| [[Power forward|PF]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| 2005–06 
| {{sortname|Brandon|Adair|nolink=1}}
| [[Virginia Wesleyan Marlins|Virginia Wesleyan]]
| [[Small forward|SF]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| style="background-color:#CFECEC;" rowspan=2| 2006–07<sup>†</sup>
| {{sortname|Andrew|Olson|nolink=1}}
| [[Amherst College|Amherst]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| {{sortname|Ben|Strong|dab=basketball}}
| [[Guilford Quakers|Guilford]]
| [[Center (basketball)|C]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| 2007–08 
| {{sortname|Andrew|Olson|nolink=1}} (2)
| [[Amherst College|Amherst]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2008–09 
| {{sortname|Jimmy|Bartolotta}}
| [[MIT Engineers|MIT]]
| [[Shooting guard|SG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2009–10
| {{sortname|Tyler|Sanborn|nolink=1}}
| [[Guilford Quakers|Guilford]]
| [[Center (basketball)|C]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2010–11
| {{sortname|Michael|Taylor|nolink=1}}
| [[Whitworth University|Whitworth]] 
| [[Shooting guard|SG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2011–12
| {{sortname|Chris|Davis|nolink=1}}
| [[Wisconsin–Whitewater Warhawks|Wisconsin–Whitewater]]
| [[Power forward|PF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2012–13
| {{sortname|Aaron|Toomey}}
| [[Amherst College|Amherst]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| 2013–14
| {{sortname|Aaron|Walton-Moss|nolink=1}}
| [[Cabrini College|Cabrini]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| 2014–15
| {{sortname|Aaron|Walton-Moss|nolink=1}} (2)
| [[Cabrini College|Cabrini]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2015–16
| {{sortname|Joey|Flannery|nolink=1}}
| [[Babson College|Babson]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| 2016–17
| {{sortname|Joey|Flannery|nolink=1}} (2)
| [[Babson College|Babson]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2017–18
| {{sortname|Tyheim|Monroe}}
| [[Cabrini College|Cabrini]]
| [[Power forward|PF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2018–19
| {{sortname|Booker|Coplin|nolink=1}}
| [[Augsburg University|Augsburg]]
| [[Shooting guard|SG]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| 2019–20
| {{sortname|Nate|West|nolink=1}}
| [[LeTourneau University|LeTourneau]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2020–21
| colspan=5 align=center | ''Not presented; no D-III championship was held due to [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|COVID-19]] disruptions
|-
| 2021–22
| {{sortname|Ryan|Turell}}
| [[Yeshiva University|Yeshiva]]
| [[Shooting guard|SG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2022–23
| {{sortname|Tyson|Cruickshank|nolink=y}}
| [[Wheaton College (Illinois)|Wheaton (IL)]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|5|Graduate}}
|-
| 2023–24
| {{sortname|Logan|Pearson|nolink=y}}
| [[Wisconsin–Platteville Pioneers|Wisconsin–Platteville]]
| [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|5|Graduate}}
|-
| 2024–25
| {{sortname|Octavio|Brito|nolink=y}}
| [[Keene State College|Keene State]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|}

==NAIA==
In 2008–09, the NABC began presenting separate awards for players of the year in NAIA Divisions I and II. In 2020–21, the NAIA removed its divisional classifications.

===Divisional era (2009–2020)===
{|
|- style="vertical-align:top" style="text-align:center;"
|
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto"
|+ Division I
! Season
! Player
! School
! Position
! Class
|-
| 2008–09 
| {{sortname|Geoff|Payne|nolink=1}}
| [[Westminster Griffins|Westminster]]
| [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2009–10
| {{sortname|Nate|Brumfield|nolink=1}}
| [[Oklahoma Baptist Bison|Oklahoma Baptist]]
| [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2010–11
| {{sortname|Justin|Johnson|nolink=1}}
| [[Concordia Eagles|Concordia Irvine]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2011–12
| {{sortname|Emmanuel|Wilson|nolink=1}}
| [[Oklahoma Baptist Bison|Oklahoma Baptist]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| style="background-color:#CFECEC;" rowspan=2| 2012–13<sup>†</sup>
| {{sortname|Vic|Moses|nolink=1}}
| [[Georgetown Tigers men's basketball|Georgetown (KY)]]
| [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| {{sortname|Dominique|Rambo|nolink=1}}
| [[Southwestern Assemblies of God University|SAGU]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
|-
| 2013–14
| {{sortname|Dominique|Rambo|nolink=1}} (2)
| [[Southwestern Assemblies of God University|SAGU]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2014–15
| {{sortname|Kenny|Manigault}}
| [[Pikeville Bears|Pikeville]]
| [[Shooting guard|SG]] / [[Small forward|SF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2015–16
| {{sortname|Deondre|McWhorter|nolink=1}}
| [[Georgetown Tigers men's basketball|Georgetown (KY)]]
| [[Power forward|PF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2016–17
| {{sortname|Delarian|Williams|nolink=1}}
| [[Life University|Life]]
| [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2017–18
| {{sortname|Ryan|Imhoff|nolink=1}}
| [[Carroll College|Carroll (MT)]]
| [[Shooting guard|SG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2018–19
| {{sortname|Jeff|Garrett|nolink=1}}
| [[LSU–Shreveport Pilots|LSU–Shreveport]]
| [[Power forward|PF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2019–20
| {{sortname|Chris|Coffey|nolink=1}}
| [[Georgetown Tigers men's basketball|Georgetown (KY)]]
| [[Power forward|PF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|}
|
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Division II
! Season
! Player
! School
! Position
! Class
|-
| 2008–09 
| {{sortname|William|Walker|nolink=1}}
| [[Bethel College (Indiana)|Bethel (IN)]]
| [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2009–10
| {{sortname|Steve|Briggs|nolink=1}}
| [[Oklahoma Wesleyan University|Oklahoma Wesleyan]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2010–11
| {{sortname|Sadiel|Rojas}}
| [[Oklahoma Wesleyan University|Oklahoma Wesleyan]]
| [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2011–12
| {{sortname|Jonathan|Dunn|nolink=1}}
| [[Keiser Seahawks|Northwood]]<!--The former Northwood campus in Florida is now Keiser University.-->
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2012–13
| {{sortname|Ra'Shad|James}}
| [[Keiser Seahawks|Northwood]]<!--The former Northwood campus in Florida is now Keiser University.-->
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2013–14
| {{sortname|Joe|Mitchell|nolink=1}}
| [[Friends University|Friends]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2014–15
| {{sortname|Dominez|Burnett}}
| [[Davenport Panthers|Davenport]]
| [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|-
| 2015–16
| {{sortname|Dominez|Burnett}} (2)
| [[Davenport Panthers|Davenport]]
| [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2016–17
| {{sortname|Warren|Hall|nolink=1}}
| [[Warner Royals men's basketball|Warner]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2017–18
| {{sortname|Kyle|Steigenga|nolink=1}}
| [[Cornerstone University|Cornerstone]]
| [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2018–19
| {{sortname|Cameron|Hunt|dab=basketball|nolink=1}}
| [[Southwestern Moundbuilders|Southwestern (KA)]]
| [[Point guard|PG]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2019–20
| {{sortname|Kyle|Mangas}}
| [[Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats|Indiana Wesleyan]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|3|Junior}}
|}
|}

===Non-divisional era (2008; 2021–present)===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
! Season
! Player
! School
! Position
! Class
|-
| 2007–08
| {{sortname|Ryan|Fiegi|nolink=1}}
| [[Oregon Institute of Technology|Oregon Tech]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2020–21
| {{sortname|Kyle|Mangas}} (2)
| [[Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats|Indiana Wesleyan]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2021–22
| {{sortname|Zach|Wrightsil|nolink=y}}
| [[Loyola Wolf Pack|Loyola (LA)]]
| [[Shooting guard|SG]] / [[Small forward|SF]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2022–23
| {{sortname|Mason|Walters|dab=basketball|nolink=y}}
| [[Jamestown Jimmies|Jamestown (ND)]]
| [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2023–24
| {{sortname|Elijah|Moore|dab=basketball|nolink=y}}
| [[Grace Lancers men's basketball|Grace]]
| [[Center (basketball)|C]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|-
| 2024–25
| {{sortname|Kashie|Natt|nolink=y}}
| [[LSU–Alexandria Generals|LSU–Alexandria]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|4|Senior}}
|}

==Two-year schools==
Since [[Community colleges in the United States|community college]] players only attend for two years, these players are only either freshmen or sophomores. Afterwards, they move on to a four-year university to finish their last two seasons of NCAA eligibility. The University column reflects which team these players would play for following their junior college careers.
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
! Season
! Player
! Two-year college
! Position
! Class
! University
|-
| 2007–08
| {{sortname|Jeremie|Simmons|nolink=1}}
| [[Mott Community College|Mott]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|2|Sophomore}}
| [[Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball|Ohio State]]
|-
| 2008–09
| {{sortname|Nafis|Ricks|nolink=1}} 
| [[Johnson County Community College|Johnson County]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|2|Sophomore}}
| [[Missouri State Bears men's basketball|Missouri State]]
|-
| 2009–10
| {{sortname|Jae|Crowder}} 
| [[Howard College|Howard (TX)]]
| [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|2|Sophomore}}
| [[Marquette Golden Eagles men's basketball|Marquette]]
|-
| 2010–11
| {{sortname|Kiel|Turpin|nolink=1}} 
| [[Lincoln College (Illinois)|Lincoln (IL)]]
| [[Center (basketball)|C]]
| {{sort|2|Sophomore}}
| [[Florida State Seminoles men's basketball|Florida State]]
|-
| 2011–12
| {{sortname|Cleanthony|Early}} 
| [[Sullivan County Community College|SUNY Sullivan]]
| [[Power forward|PF]]
| {{sort|2|Sophomore}}
| [[Wichita State Shockers men's basketball|Wichita State]]
|-
| 2012–13
| {{sortname|Chris|Jones|dab=basketball, born 1991}} 
| [[Northwest Florida State College|Northwest Florida State]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|2|Sophomore}}
| [[Louisville Cardinals men's basketball|Louisville]]
|-
| 2013–14
| {{sortname|Kadeem|Allen}} 
| [[Hutchinson Community College|Hutchinson]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|2|Sophomore}}
| [[Arizona Wildcats men's basketball|Arizona]]
|-
| 2014–15
| {{sortname|Brandon|Brown|dab=basketball, born 1991}} 
| [[Phoenix College|Phoenix]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|2|Sophomore}}
| [[Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball|Loyola Marymount]]
|-
| 2015–16
| {{sortname|Kavell|Bigby-Williams}}
| [[Gillette College|Gillette]]
| [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|2|Sophomore}}
| [[Oregon Ducks men's basketball|Oregon]]
|-
| 2016–17
| {{sortname|Shakur|Juiston}} 
| [[Hutchinson Community College|Hutchinson]]
| [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|2|Sophomore}}
| [[UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball|UNLV]]
|-
| 2017–18
| {{sortname|Charles|Jones Jr.|nolink=1}} 
| {{sort|Southern Idaho|[[College of Southern Idaho]]}}
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|2|Sophomore}}
| [[Utah Utes men's basketball|Utah]]
|-
| 2018–19
| {{sortname|Chris|Duarte|dab=basketball}} 
| [[Northwest Florida State College|Northwest Florida State]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|2|Sophomore}}
| [[Oregon Ducks men's basketball|Oregon]]
|-
| 2019–20
| {{sortname|Jay|Scrubb}} 
| [[John A. Logan College|John A. Logan]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|2|Sophomore}}
| ''None''{{refn|group=n|On March 25, 2020, Scrubb declared for the [[2020 NBA draft]] while maintaining his eligibility and did not immediately sign with an agent.<ref name=draft>{{cite news |last1=Daniels |first1=Evan |title=Louisville commit Jay Scrubb declares for the NBA Draft |url=https://247sports.com/college/basketball/recruiting/Article/Jay-Scrubb-Louisville-NBA-Draft-145374361/ |access-date=March 29, 2020 |publisher=[[247Sports.com|247Sports]] |date=March 25, 2020}}</ref> On April 9, he announced that he would sign with an agent and forgo his remaining college basketball eligibility.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Daniels |first1=Evan |title=JUCO standout and Louisville commit Jay Scrubb signs with agent |url=https://247sports.com/college/basketball/recruiting/Article/Jay-Scrubb-Going-Pro-Louisville-145879416/ |publisher=247Sports |access-date=June 25, 2020 |date=April 9, 2020}}</ref> Scrubb had previously committed to play for [[Louisville Cardinals men's basketball|Louisville]] prior to changing his decision.}}
|-
| 2020–21
| {{sortname|Malevy|Leons}} 
| [[Mineral Area College|Mineral Area]]
| [[Forward (basketball)|F]]
| {{sort|2|Sophomore}}
| [[Bradley Braves men's basketball|Bradley]]
|-
| 2021–22
| {{sortname|Damarco|Minor|nolink=1}}
| [[South Suburban College|South Suburban]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|2|Sophomore}}
| [[SIU Edwardsville Cougars men's basketball|SIU Edwardsville]]
|-
| 2022–23
| {{sortname|Curt|Lewis|nolink=1}}
| [[John A. Logan College|John A. Logan]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|2|Sophomore}}
| [[Missouri Tigers men's basketball|Missouri]]
|-
| 2023–24
| {{sortname|Jemel|Jones|nolink=1}}
| [[South Suburban College|South Suburban]]
| [[Guard (basketball)|G]]
| {{sort|2|Sophomore}}
| [[Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners men's basketball|Cal State Bakersfield]]
|-
| 2024–25
| {{sortname|Isaac|Finlinson|nolink=1}}
| [[Snow College|Snow]]
| [[Small forward|SF]]
| {{sort|2|Sophomore}}
| TBD
|}

==See also==
* [[List of U.S. men's college basketball national player of the year awards]]

==Footnotes==
{{reflist|group=n}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://nabc.com/awards/poy/}}

{{NABC Player of the Year}}
{{NABC Division II Player of the Year}}
{{Men's college basketball award navbox}}

[[Category:Awards established in 1975]]
[[Category:College basketball player of the year awards in the United States]]
[[Category:National Association of Basketball Coaches]]