Butler junior guard Aaron Thompson has been named one of 10 semifinalist for the 2020 Naismith Men's Defensive Player of the Year Award. The Atlanta Tip-off Club announced the semifinalists Thursday, Feb. 27.

In January, Thompson was recognized as one of 15 players on the midseason watch list for the award.
Thompson has helped Butler to a 19-9 record so far this season. Butler's defense is surrendering only 62.8 points per game, which is 25th nationally. Having earned his reputation as one of the nation's best on-ball defenders, Thompson is third on the Bulldogs in both steals and blocks despite missing four games due to injury.

On the offensive end, Thompson ranks second in the BIG EAST in assist/turnover ratio and fourth in assists.

The finalists for the defensive award will be revealed on March 12.

The Atlanta Tip-off Club will announce the winners of all Naismith Awards during the Division I Championship game weekend at the Naismith Awards Brunch presented by Invesco QQQ, which will be held at the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta on Sunday, April 5.

2020 Midseason Team for Naismith Men's Defensive Player of the Year

Mamadi Diakite, Sr., F, Virginia
Marcus Garrett, Jr., G, Kansas
Romaro Gill, Sr., C, Seton Hall
Jacob Gilyard, Jr., G, Richmond
Ashton Hagans, So., G, Kentucky
Tre Jones, So., G, Duke
Davion Mitchell, So., G, Baylor
Zavier Simpson, Sr., G, Michigan
Aaron Thompson, Jr., G, Butler
Mark Vital, Jr., G/F, Baylor