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Javontae Campbell Named Finalist For Lefty Driesell Award
March 10, 2026 | Men's Basketball
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Award Presented Annually To Top Defensive Player In Division I; Campbell One Of 25 Finalists
BOSTON, Mass. – CollegeInsider.com announced the finalists for the 2026 Lefty Driesell Award Tuesday afternoon (March 10). Of the 25 players named as finalists across the nation, Bowling Green senior guard Javontae Campbell was a recipient. The award is presented annually to the top defensive player in Division I college basketball. The recipient is determined by a 10-member voting committee, consisting of current and former head coaches as well as two senior staff members of CollegeInsider.com. The 2026 award will be announced in Indianapolis, Ind., site of the men's Division I Basketball Championship.
This season, Campbell has established himself as one of the best defensive players in the nation. He currently leads the country in both total steals (96) and steals per game (3.1). Campbell has already broken the program's single-season steals record, a mark he set last season as well, and is now closing in on the MAC's record, set at 103 by Ball State's Bonzie Wells in 1997-98.
In addition to his defensive prowess, Campbell currently leads the MAC in points against MAC opponents, averaging 21.4 per game. Additionally, he's third in the MAC for assists against conference opponents, averaging 6.0 per contest. Campbell is 18 points away from entering BGSU's top 10 for single-season scoring and is already in the top 10 for single-season assists. If he can enter the scoring list he would join Antonio Daniels' 1996-97 campaign as the only two to rank in the top 10 for both single-season points and assists in program history.
2026 Left Driesell Award Finalists
Flory Bidunga, Kansas
Jaden Bradley, Arizona
Maliq Brown, Duke
Javontae Campbell, Bowling Green
Rafael Castro, George Washington
Tyler Cochran, Rhode Island
Jerald Colonel, Stephen F. Austin
CJ Cox, Purdue
Rueben Chinyelu, Florida
Silas Demary, Jr., UConn
Zuby Ejiofor, St. John's
Kyle Evans, UC Irvine
JJ Harper, Liberty
Motiejus Krivas, Arizona
Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State
Chol Machot, Charleston
Aday Mara, Michigan
Ugonna Onyenso, Virginia
Dame Sarr, Duke
Emanuel Sharp, Houston
Casey Simmons, Yale
JaMichael Stillwell, UCF
Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt
Joseph Tugler, Houston
Up Next
The Falcons will begin the postseason slate on Thursday (March 12) against the rival Toledo Rockets in the MAC Quarterfinals. BGSU and UT will be the second game of the day in Cleveland, beginning 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one, estimated to be around 1:30 p.m. An official tip time will be posted to @BGSUMBB on Twitter/X.
Follow the Falcons
Be sure to follow the Falcons' men's basketball team on social media
Twitter - @BGSU_Athletics and @BGSUMBB
Instagram - 'bgfalcons' and 'bgsumhoops'
Facebook - 'BGSU Athletics' and 'BGSU Men's Hoops'
YouTube - 'Falcon Athletics'
This season, Campbell has established himself as one of the best defensive players in the nation. He currently leads the country in both total steals (96) and steals per game (3.1). Campbell has already broken the program's single-season steals record, a mark he set last season as well, and is now closing in on the MAC's record, set at 103 by Ball State's Bonzie Wells in 1997-98.
In addition to his defensive prowess, Campbell currently leads the MAC in points against MAC opponents, averaging 21.4 per game. Additionally, he's third in the MAC for assists against conference opponents, averaging 6.0 per contest. Campbell is 18 points away from entering BGSU's top 10 for single-season scoring and is already in the top 10 for single-season assists. If he can enter the scoring list he would join Antonio Daniels' 1996-97 campaign as the only two to rank in the top 10 for both single-season points and assists in program history.
2026 Left Driesell Award Finalists
Flory Bidunga, Kansas
Jaden Bradley, Arizona
Maliq Brown, Duke
Javontae Campbell, Bowling Green
Rafael Castro, George Washington
Tyler Cochran, Rhode Island
Jerald Colonel, Stephen F. Austin
CJ Cox, Purdue
Rueben Chinyelu, Florida
Silas Demary, Jr., UConn
Zuby Ejiofor, St. John's
Kyle Evans, UC Irvine
JJ Harper, Liberty
Motiejus Krivas, Arizona
Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State
Chol Machot, Charleston
Aday Mara, Michigan
Ugonna Onyenso, Virginia
Dame Sarr, Duke
Emanuel Sharp, Houston
Casey Simmons, Yale
JaMichael Stillwell, UCF
Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt
Joseph Tugler, Houston
Up Next
The Falcons will begin the postseason slate on Thursday (March 12) against the rival Toledo Rockets in the MAC Quarterfinals. BGSU and UT will be the second game of the day in Cleveland, beginning 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one, estimated to be around 1:30 p.m. An official tip time will be posted to @BGSUMBB on Twitter/X.
Follow the Falcons
Be sure to follow the Falcons' men's basketball team on social media
Twitter - @BGSU_Athletics and @BGSUMBB
Instagram - 'bgfalcons' and 'bgsumhoops'
Facebook - 'BGSU Athletics' and 'BGSU Men's Hoops'
YouTube - 'Falcon Athletics'
Players Mentioned
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