Breaking News: Missouri Tigers Men’s Basketball Guard Caleb Grill has won the sporting news national player of the year….
While there’s a buzz circulating—like in some Mizzou fan forums—claiming that Missouri guard Caleb Grill was named Sporting News National Player of the Year, there’s no official confirmation from Sporting News or other leading outlets.
Searches across major sports media (ESPN, Sports Illustrated, The Athletic, NCAA news, and Sporting News itself) show no record of such an award being given to Grill . His season was outstanding—SEC Sixth Man of the Year, top bench scorer in school history, invited to the national 3‑Point Championship, standout G-League workout performances—but Sporting News didn’t name him Player of the Year. The official Sporting News National Player of the Year award for 2024‑25 instead went to another standout on the national stage (per their published lists). So as of June 30, 2025, Grill has not received that honor.
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🏀 What Caleb Grill Did Achieve This Season
Let’s give credit where it’s due—Grill’s impact at Missouri was extraordinary:
SEC Sixth Man of the Year: He averaged 13.7 PPG, a school-record for a bench player, leading the nation in bench scoring .
Elite Shooting: He converted 39.6 % from three—the third highest in the SEC and top percentile nationally .
SEC Player of the Week (January 2025): A scorching 19.5 PPG on 66.7 % FG and 60 % 3PT against top‑5 Florida and Arkansas earned him the honor .
National Recognition: Invited to the 2025 E*TRADE/Forme3-Point Championship, one of only eight competitors nationally .
NBA Prospect Attention: He scored well at the G-League Elite Camp (14 PPG, 54.5 % from 3PT on one day), and earned workouts with NBA teams like Portland and New Orleans .
Emotional Impact: A beloved senior who left a mark, exemplified by his heartfelt embrace of Coach Gates in his final home game .
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Why the Confusion?
Fan Virality: Fan groups, especially on social media, sometimes amplify rumors. A two‑month‑old Facebook claim exists, but lacks official backing .
Bench Role Overlook: Players who emerge from sixth-man roles rarely get national player of the year, which traditionally favors starters on Final Four teams.
Award Misattribution: SEC Sixth Man is prestigious, but not the same as national player of the year.
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The Big Picture
Caleb Grill is among the most decorated bench scorers in Mizzou history—a sharpshooting spark plug who elevated the program, electrified fans, and carried a pro-level future into NBA circles.
But as of late June 2025, the claim of him being Sporting News National Player of the Year is unsubstantiated. He’s certainly earned national recognition and professional opportunities, but that specific honor remains a fan-driven wish, not a verified accolade.
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If you’d like, I can keep an eye on official announcements from Sporting News and update you the moment they post a national player of the year list. Want me to do that?
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