PHOENIX, AZ -- West Virginia’s Jevon Carter is the recipient of the 2017 Lefty Driesell award, which is presented annually to the nation's top defensive player.
The Mountaineers’ point guard was the key ingredient on one of the nation’s most aggressive defensive teams. Carter, a solidly built 6-2, 200 pound junior, applied fierce ball pressure and helped Coach Bob Huggins’ squad force turnovers on 27 percent of opponent’s possessions, which led the nation.
Carter led the Big 12 with 2.5 steals per game as part of the “Press Virginia’ attack built around deflections and disruption. The Mountaineers swiped 10 steals per game.
“Jevon Carter plays defense like it’s his girlfriend – he absolutely loves it,” says CollegeInsider.com’s Angela Lento. “Few players bring a toughness and a dedication to the defensive end of the floor.”
West Virginia was also fourth in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency, holding teams to 66.7 points per game.
Driesell won 786 games in 41 years at Davidson, Maryland, James Madison and Georgia State. He ranks eighth on the NCAA career Division I coaches victories list and his teams at each stop were known for playing tenacious defense. From 1969-1986 at Maryland, his teams posted a 348-159 record, won two Atlantic Coast Conference regular season titles and one tournament title.
