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Gonzaga Basketball

Gonzaga’s Brandon Clarke one of four finalists for Naismith Defensive Player of the Year

Gonzaga’s Brandon Clarke blocks Saint Mary’s forward Dan Fotu’s shot during the WCC Tournament championship game. (Tyler Tjomsland / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga’s Brandon Clarke blocks Saint Mary’s forward Dan Fotu’s shot during the WCC Tournament championship game. (Tyler Tjomsland / The Spokesman-Review)Buy a print of this photo
By Jim Meehan jimm@spokesman.com(509) 459-5585

Gonzaga’s Brandon Clarke is one of four finalists for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year.

Virginia’s De’Andre Hunter, Washington’s Matisse Thybulle and Duke’s Zion Williamson are also finalists.

Clarke, the West Coast Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year, has blocked 102 shots, a single-season program record. The junior forward is tied for second nationally with Oregon State’s Kylor Kelley in total blocks, four behind Western Illinois’ Brandon Gilbeck.

Clarke continues to lead the nation in field-goal percentage (69.3). He’s a full percentage point ahead of Williamson. Clarke averages 16.6 points and a team-high 8.5 rebounds.

Thybulle equaled the Pac-12 single-season record with 110 steals and led the Huskies with 72 blocks. He leads the nation with 3.5 steals per game. He was named the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year.