Atlanta, Ga. -- Bona has formed an agreement with The Atlanta Tipoff Club to sponsor a new college basketball award. The Naismith Defensive Player of the Year presented by Bona will annually recognize the most outstanding men’s and women’s college basketball player who excels on the defensive end of the court. The Naismith Defensive Player of the Year presented by Bona will recognize the top performers who excel in “protecting the rim” with a mid-season All-Defensive Team, as well as an end-of-season All- Defensive team.

For decades, most professional and collegiate athletes have played on floors finished with Bona Sport waterborne finishes, sealers and paints. Bona provides the most complete system of sport products in the industry including waterborne and oil modified finishes, paint, machines, abrasives, adhesives and a fast, effective maintenance system.

“The Naismith Awards are an honored sports tradition we have admired for years,” said Tiffany Baird, brand manager for Bona US. “Bona is thrilled to now be part of the Naismith family. From 28 professional basketball floors such as the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers, to a wide range of collegiate floors, to the men’s and women’s floors this weekend, Bona’s suite of products are the standard for durable and safe sport floors.”

Eric Oberman, executive director of the Atlanta Tipoff Club, added, “Bona is recognized as a global leader in the installation and protection of hardwood floors, which creates a tremendous platform to activate in college basketball. We believe strongly in recognizing all facets of the game, and this partnership allows us to focus on defensive stalwarts, while also growing our tremendous family of awards and partners.”

The 2018 Naismith Defensive Men’s Player of the Year will be announced on Sunday, April 1, at the Naismith Awards Brunch during the Final Four in San Antonio, Texas. The women’s winner will be recognized after the season on her college campus.

For more information, visit us.bona.com.