Arizona guard Jaden Bradley was one of 15 players named to the late-season watch list for the Naismith's Defensive Player of the Year award.
In making the cut from 25 players on the midseason list for the award, Bradley was joined on the list by three other Big 12 players, including the league's Defensive Player of the Year last season in Houston's Joseph Tugler, and two players he will face this weekend: Kansas' Flory Bidunga and Iowa State's Tamin Lipsey.
Bradley ranks 36th nationally in EvanMiya.com's defensive ratings and has a steal percentage of 3.0 that ranks 217th, valued by the Wildcats especially for his clutch offensive play and floor leadership.
Arizona guard Jaden Bradley (0) tears the ball out of the arms of West Virginia guard Honor Huff (3) for a steal in the second half of their Big 12 game, Jan. 24, 2026, in Tucson.
The Wildcats rank third nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency, according to Kenpom, and Bradley is among those standing out. Arizona center Motiejus Krivas ranks ninth in Evanmiya.com's defensive rankings, and wing Ivan Kharchenkov has emerged as a key defensive force for the Wildcats.
