A Missouri Valley College men’s basketball student-athlete has been named the 2024-2025 Heart Defensive Player of the Year.

Senior Cawhan Smith was selected as the Heart Defensive Player of the Year for his play during the season. Smith finished with 79 steals, the second-most steals in program-history. He led the Heart and was third Nationally in steals. He also tied the program’s single-game steals record, coming up with seven steals in Saturday’s win over Culver-Stockton (Mo.). Smith also averaged 3.3 defensive rebounds per game, and was twice named the Heart Defensive Player of the Week during the regular season. In addition to the individual award, Smith was placed on the Heart All-Defensive Team for the second-straight season, and is the only player in program-history to be recognized on the conference defensive team.

Additionally, Smith earned second team all-conference honors, after averaging 11.8 points per game overall, and 12.3 points per game in conference play. He was an honorable mention all-conference selection last season. Also named to the all-conference second team was Senior Keenan Jones. Jones, an honorable mention selection last season, led the team with averaging 13.4 points per game overall, and 14.3 points per game in conference play. Jones added 3.9 rebounds per game, and finished with 55 assists.

The Viking men’s basketball season came to an end Wednesday evening in the quarterfinal round of the Heart Postseason Tournament, in a loss to No. 10 Baker. The team finished with 11 wins in conference play, tied for the most since the 2019-20 season.