Duke men's basketball's Vernon Carey Jr. named USBWA National Freshman of the Year

For the fourth time in the last seven years, a Blue Devil was recognized as the top freshman in the nation.

Vernon Carey Jr. joined former Duke players Jabari Parker, Jahlil Okafor and Zion Williamson as a Tisdale Award winner Wednesday afternoon, given annually by the USBWA to the top freshman in college basketball. The USBWA announced the honor in a release, also naming Dayton's Obi Toppin and Anthony Grant as the top player and coach in the country, respectively.

Duke's 6-foot-10 center quickly established himself as the top freshman in the ACC and in the nation. He previously was named the conference's Rookie of the Year and as a consensus second-team All-American. As the only freshman to earn a spot on the All-American team, Carey's Tisdale hardware is no surprise.