PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Caleb McConnell thought he had a media interview in the film room of the Rutgers men’s basketball team facility on Monday.
When he walked in the room, he saw head coach Steve Pikiell, sitting in the front row and pointing at the television monitor.
Pikiell smiled, clapped, and celebrated to his most beloved defender.
“We have a little announcement here,” Pikiell laughed.
McConnell smiled as he was surprised by a Zoom call with about 15 members of his family on the screen. McConnell’s family spreading from his father, Bryant McConnell in Jacksonville, Fl. to his mother, Stefanie Kerlin in Geneva, Ohio shared with him another national defensive award that has been added to his resume.
“Caleb, from your family, friends and all of Rutgers we just want to share that you have been awarded the 2023 Lefty Driesell Award, for the best defender in the nation,” said Stefanie Kerlin, McConnell’s mother. “You are known for the most tenacious defense, and this is awarded to you this year on behalf of the coaches and media. They chose you over many players to be the National Defensive Player of the Year!”
“It’s definitely crazy man,” McConnell said. “I am humbled, but it feels good to win this award. I appreciate you guys. I appreciate this award it means a lot to me. It’s an honor and I’m just excited. Thank you, Coach Pike!”
McConnell is the first player in Rutgers history to win the Lefty Driesell Award and has become the first RU player to win a national defensive player of the year award twice this season.
The Lefty Driesell Award is given annually to the top defensive player in Division I basketball, is named in honor of the legendary former coach. McConnell will be officially announced as the recipient of the 2023 award at the men’s NCAA Basketball Championship.
McConnell will add this award to his showcase of accolades this season, as he also beat out all the defenders in the nation for the 2022-23 ESPN College Gameday National Defensive Player of the Year Award earlier this month.
McConnell was awarded the best defensive player in the Big Ten Conference with his consecutive Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Award alongside Northwestern’s Chase Audige. McConnell was of course also nominated to the Big Ten’s First Team for defense for the…
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