BOSTON – LA Tech forward Isaiah Crawford was named a finalist for the 2023-24 Lefty Driesell Defensive Player of the Year, announced Monday by CollegeInsider.com.
 
The award is presented annually to the top defensive player in division I college basketball. The Lefty Driesell Award is named in honor of the legendary coach who spent over four decades as a head coach.
 
Crawford, who was also named a finalist for the Lou Henson National Player of the Year Award, became just the second LA Tech student-athlete to win both CUSA Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors. A do-it-all star for the Bulldogs, Crawford was the only DI player with at least 400 points, 150 rebounds, 50 assists, 50 steals and 50 blocks this season.
 
He ranked in the top-three in CUSA play in scoring (2^nd, 17.9), field-goal percentage (3^rd, .495), blocks (2^nd, 2.2), steals (3^rd, 2.2) and minutes per game (1^st, 35.2), while finishing seventh in rebounding (6.1). He tied for the league lead with six 20-point performances against CUSA foes.
 
A First-Team All-CUSA selection and member of the CUSA All-Defensive team, Crawford anchored the top defense in CUSA, ranking in the top-55 nationally in steals (2.13) and blocks (1.72) per game. 
 
The recipient of the annual award is determined by a 10-member voting committee, which consists of current and former head coaches, as well as two senior staff members of CollegeInsider.com. The winner of the 2024 award will be announced in Phoenix, Ariz., the site of the men’s Division I Basketball Championship.