Rashunda Jones Earns Spot on Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List
Michigan State guard Rashunda Jones is making her presence felt in a big way-and now the rest of the country is taking notice. The junior standout has been named to the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List, an honor reserved for the top 25 defenders in Division I women’s basketball.
For Jones, it's a well-earned nod in her first season with the Spartans. The South Bend, Indiana native has hit the ground running in East Lansing, starting all 20 games so far and quickly establishing herself as a defensive anchor.
She’s second in the Big Ten in steals, averaging 2.65 per game, and has already racked up 53 on the season. That kind of ball-hawking effort isn't just padding the stat sheet-it's helping drive Michigan State's identity on both ends of the floor.
And it’s not just the steals. Jones’ defensive instincts and relentless on-ball pressure have been a major factor in Michigan State’s strong assist-to-turnover ratio (12.35), which ranks second in the conference. She’s helping turn defense into offense, creating transition opportunities, and setting the tone for a team that’s quietly building momentum.
Jones is one of just four Big Ten players to make the prestigious watch list, joining UCLA’s Lauren Betts, Ohio State’s Kennedy Cambridge, and USC’s Jazzy Davidson. That’s elite company, and it speaks volumes about the level Jones is playing at-and the respect she’s earning across the national landscape.
Michigan State will look to keep that energy rolling when they head to West Lafayette to face Purdue on Thursday, Jan. 29. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. on Big Ten Network.
Here’s a full look at the 25 players named to the 2026 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List:
- KK Arnold, UConn
- Raegan Beers, Oklahoma
- Lauren Betts, UCLA
- Mikayla Blakes, Vanderbilt
- Madison Booker, Texas
- Kennedy Cambridge, Ohio State
- Talaysia Cooper, Tennessee
- Julia Dalan, Portland
- Jazzy Davidson, USC
- Joyce Edwards, South Carolina
- Toby Fournier, Duke
- Madison Francis, Mississippi State
- MiLaysia Fulwiley, LSU
- Rori Harmon, Texas
- Jordan Harrison, West Virginia
- Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame
- Uche Izoje, Syracuse
- Raven Johnson, South Carolina
- Rashunda Jones, Michigan State
- Latasha Lattimore, Ole Miss
- Indya Nivar, North Carolina
- Khamil Pierre, NC State
- Ny'Ceara Pryor, Texas A&M
- Clara Strack, Kentucky
- Sarah Strong, UConn
For Jones, this is more than just midseason recognition-it’s a statement. She’s become a key piece of Michigan State’s defensive identity, and if she keeps playing at this level, don’t be surprised if her name stays in that conversation deep into March.