SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced today that Oregon center Nate Bittle is a top five finalist for the 2025 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award.
Bittle is averaging 13.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 1.8 assists per game, while shooting 50.3 percent from the field, 31.9 percent from three-point range and 81.7 percent from the free throw line. The Central Point native leads the Big Ten in total blocks (67) and blocks per game, and his 122 career blocks rank fifth all-time in school history. Bittle is one of four players in the country to total at least 400 points, 200 rebounds and 65 blocks this season, and is the only one of the four to hit at least 25 three pointers.
Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting starting today, March 7, on hoophallawards.com. The Fan Vote will count as one committee vote during the finalist selection process.
Later this month, the finalists will be presented to Abdul-Jabbar and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. The Selection Committee for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award is composed of top men’s and women’s college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.
The winner of the 2025 Abdul-Jabbar Award will be presented on a to-be-determined date, along with the other four members of the Men’s and Women’s Starting Five.
2025 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Finalists
Ryan Kalkbrenner Creighton
Derik Queen Maryland
Vladislav Goldin Michigan
Nate Bittle Oregon
Maxime Raynaud Stanford
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