Kentucky basketball regular season awards: Defensive player of the year

With the Kentucky basketball team’s regular season in the books, it’s time to focus on the SEC and NCAA Tournaments. But, before we move too far into March, let’s give out some regular season awards.

Before we focus on March Madness and post-season play, let’s hand out this year’s Defensive Player of the Year Award. This one was not easy because UK does not have a dominant shot blocker like Anthony Davis or a lock down perimeter defender like DeAndre Liggins. This year’s Kentucky basketball Defensive Player of the Year is Wenyen Gabriel.

Wenyen Gabriel, up until recently, is Kentucky’s most active rebounder. Jarred Vanderbilt has taken than mantle from him of late. Gabriel grabbed 6 or more rebounds in 15 different games throughout the season. Gabriel averaged 5.3 rebounds per game. Of his 160 rebounds during the regular season, 67.5% were on the defensive side of the ball.

Early in the season, Gabriel was a calming force off the bench for the Kentucky basketball team. It was only recently he began to be part of the starting lineup. Personally, I think Gabriel fares better off the bench. Gabriel brings an intensity and energy that is unmatched by his teammates. That same intensity and energy is what helps Gabriel play that tough, hard-nosed defense that Big Blue Nation has come to expect.

Gabriel is not only a solid rebounder, but he’s one of the better shot blockers on this year’s Kentucky basketball team. In Kentucky’s opening game against Utah Valley State, Gabriel had 3 blocked shots. Two other times this season, Gabriel’s had nine games this season with multiple blocked shots.

The Wildcats can hang their hat on one defensive statistic. UK is No. 2 in the country in three-point defense. The Cats hold opponents to 29.3%. Gabriel’s length and ability to contest shots have a lot to Kentucky’s defensive success.