Pac-12 Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year

Pac-12 Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year
Awarded forthe most outstanding basketball player in the Pac-12 Conference
CountryUnited States
History
First award1976
Final awardAnticipated to resume
in 2026–27

The Pac-12 Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year is a currently dormant award given to the Pac-12 Conference's most outstanding player. The award was first given following the 1975–76 season, when the conference was known as the Pacific-8, and was determined by voting from the Pac-12 media and coaches. On August 2, 2024, 10 of the 12 members departed from the conference. The Pac-12 continues to operate as a two-team conference for at least the 2024–25 academic year, sponsoring four sports – football, track & field, women's gymnastics and wrestling.[1] On September 12, 2024, the Pac-12 announced the admission of four new universities effective July 2026: Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, and San Diego State.[2] According to the press release, "Oregon State University and Washington State University are currently operating as members of the Pac-12 Conference as part of an NCAA two-year grace period and will continue to do so for the 2025–26 academic season before the four new members officially join. The collective six universities will collaboratively chart additional membership and other future conference considerations."[2]

In a span of less than three weeks in September 2024, the Pac-12 added six new members effective in 2026–27—Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, San Diego State, and Utah State.[3][4][5] With eight confirmed members, conference play is expected to resume in 2026–27, with the award again being presented.

Two players were honored multiple times: David Greenwood of UCLA and Sean Elliott of Arizona. Four freshmen also won the award: Shareef Abdur-Rahim of California, Kevin Love of UCLA, Deandre Ayton of Arizona and Evan Mobley of USC.[6] Between the arrival of Arizona and Arizona State in 1978 and the entry of Colorado and Utah in 2011, the conference was known as the Pacific–10.

  1. ^ "History of the Pac-12". pac-12.com. San Ramon, California. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Ushering in a new era, the Pac-12 Conference strengthens its legacy by welcoming four respected academic and athletic universities". pac-12.com. San Ramon, California. September 12, 2024. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  3. ^ "Ushering in a new era, the Pac-12 Conference strengthens its legacy by welcoming four respected academic and athletic universities" (Press release). Pac-12 Conference. September 12, 2024. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  4. ^ "Pac-12 Conference and Utah State University Unite to Advance the New Era of the 100-Year-Old Legacy" (Press release). Pac-12 Conference. September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  5. ^ "Pac-12 Conference and Gonzaga University Unite to Build a Basketball Powerhouse, Advancing the New Era of the Conference's 100-Year Legacy" (Press release). Pac-12 Conference. September 30, 2024. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  6. ^ Kartje, Ryan (March 9, 2021). "USC's Evan Mobley joins Anthony Davis in making college basketball history". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 10, 2021.