Penn State basketball lead guard Ace Baldwin Jr. was named a finalist for the Lefty Driesell Defensive Player of the Year Award on Wednesday. The award — named after legendary head coach Charles “Lefty” Driesell — is awarded annually to the top defensive player in Division I basketball.
DEFENSIVE ACHIEVEMENTS
Baldwin Jr. was recently named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. He became the first repeat winner of the conferenceโs overall defensive award in two decades (Kenneth Lowe 2003-04), as his 2.4 steals led the Big Ten and ranked 10th nationally. His 71 total steals were good for second in the conference and ranked 15th in the country.
Baldwin Jr. finished the year as one of three players in the conference to have six or more games with at least four steals. His point of attack defense was pivotal in anchoring one of the best pressing teams in the country, as Penn State basketball ranked in the 71st percentile in press defense and the 85th percentile in press turnover percentage.
Overall, Baldwin Jr. finished the 2024-25 campaign averaging 14.0 points, 7.1 assists and 2.4 steals. He was one of two players this season to average at least 14 points, seven assists and two steals. In the last 32 years, only five other Big Ten players have averaged at least 14 points, six assists and two steals. Baldwin Jr. did it the last two seasons.
A 10-member voting committee — made up of current and former head coaches, as well as two senior staff members of collegeinsider.com — will decide between Baldwin Jr. and 29 other finalists for the award. The announcement will be made in San Antonio, Texas, the site of the Division I Basketball Championship.
