AMES, Iowa – Iowa State freshman guard Tyrese Hunter is one of 15 players named to the Naismith Men’s Defensive Player of the Year Watch List.

The Racine, Wisconsin, native is leading the Big 12 Conference with 42 steals, which also leads all freshmen nationally. He has 12 games with multiple steals and five games with at least four steals. Additionally, Hunter has five blocks.

He is one of three Big 12 players on the list, joining Baylor’s Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua and Texas Tech’s Kevin McCullar.

Hunter and the No. 23 Cyclones return to action Saturday when they host Missouri in the Big 12/SEC Challenge at Hilton Coliseum at 1 p.m.

Naismith Men’s Defensive Player of the Year Watch List

• Posh Alexander, St. John’s
• Kennedy Chandler, Tennessee
• Tari Eason, LSU
• Jacob Gilyard, Richmond
• Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga
• Tyrese Hunter, Iowa State
• Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana
• Walker Kessler, Auburn
• Christian Koloko, Arizona
• Kevin McCullar, Texas Tech
• Nathan Mensah, San Diego State
• Jamarion Sharp, Western Kentucky
• Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua, Baylor
• Oscar Tshiebwe, Kentucky
• Mark Williams, Duke