This is March!
That means it’s time for some end of season awards.
Check out below for an in-depth list of the top sixth men in college basketball during the 2024-25 season:
College Hoops Today National Sixth Man of the Year
Curtis Jones, Iowa State: Jones is essentially a sixth starter for the Cyclones and his presence off the bench is one of the primary reasons why the Cyclones have a chance to advance to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season. A microwave scorer with good size at 6-4, Jones is a high-level offensive player who can also rebound his position. He’s had 16 games this season with at least five rebounds and is also Iowa State’s leading scorer (17.0 points).
Other Finalists
Caleb Grill, Missouri: One of the best shooters in the sport, Grill is a major reason why the Tigers have been one of college basketball’s most improved teams this season. After only playing nine games a year ago due to injury, the 6-3 Grill has now been a model of consistency as a key reserve. He’s currently averaging 14.2 points while shooting an impressive 49.6 percent from the field and 42.3 percent from three-point range. Grill has also made a career-high 74 three-point shots this season.
Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn: One common theme with teams that have won national titles is that they normally have a dynamic scorer in reserve. That’s the role that Pettiford fills for the Tigers. A New Jersey native, the 6-1 freshman made a major statement when he scored 21 points in an early season win over Houston and he’s had several moments of brilliance since. Pettiford has scored 15 or more points on nine separate occasions this season and is primed to again emerge as a major factor for Auburn during March Madness.
Jordan Gainey, Tennessee: Gainey doesn’t get as much as attention as the other members of the Vols’ perimeter — Zakai Zeigler, Chaz Lanier, and Jahmai Mashack — but he’s still an incredibly important piece in Knoxville. The 6-3 Gainey averages over 27 minutes and is a double-figure scorer in reserve, averaging 10.9 points and 3.4 rebounds. Remember: This is the guy that hit a layup at the buzzer when Tennessee beat Illinois in Champaign in December.
Aden Holloway, Alabama: After spending the first year of his college career at Auburn, Holloway has quickly found a home down the road in Tuscaloosa. A valuable piece off the bench thanks to the shooting and spacing that he provides offensively, Holloway has been a tremendous complement to both Mark Sears and LaBaron Philon on the Crimson Tide’s perimeter. He’s currently made 73 three-point shots — which is 21 more than he made last season as a freshman —- and is shooting over 40.0 percent from long distance.
Honorable Mention
- KJ Lewis, Arizona
- Sebastian Mack, UCLA
- Jaemyn Brakefield, Ole Miss
- Christian Anderson, Texas Tech
- Denzel Aberdeen, Florida
Leftovers
- Iowa State’s Curtis Jones is College Hoops Today’s National Sixth Man of the Year
- Auburn’s Johni Broome is College Hoops Today’s National Player of the Year
- BRACKET BREAKDOWN: March 7th
- St. John’s Rick Pitino is College Hoops Today’s National Coach of the Year
- The Top 12 Glue Guys in College Basketball
