Indiana forward Mackenzie Mgbako (21) works toward the basket as Penn State guard Ace Baldwin Jr. (1) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Big Ten Conference tournament, Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

UNIVERSITY PARK – Reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Ace Baldwin Jr. has been chosen as one of 10 Big Ten men’s basketball players to earn Preseason All-Big Ten honors, as announced by the conference office Tuesday afternoon.

Baldwin Jr. enters his fifth year of eligibility in 2024-25 as the only active Division I player with 1,000+ career points (1,297), 600+ career assists (618) and 250+ career steals (271).

He is coming off a senior season in which he was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, a Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year Semifinalist, a Lefty Driesell Defensive Player of the Year Finalist, an NABC Second Team All-District 7 selection, a third-team All-Big Ten (coaches & media) pick and a Big Ten All-Defensive Team honoree.

The Baltimore, Md. native wrapped up his first season in the Blue & White leading the Nittany Lions with 14.2 points, 6.0 assists and 2.7 steals per game in 2023-24. He was one of just four Big Ten players since 1992-93 (31 years) and the first since 2011-12 to finish a season averaging 14.0+ points per game, 6.0+ assists per game and 2.0+ steals per game.

Baldwin Jr.’s 2.67 steals per game in 2023-24 were the most by a Big Ten player in a single season since the 1992-93 season (31 years). He finished the season ranked fourth in the country in steals per game (2.67), fifth in steals (88), 20th in assists (199) and 24th in assists per game (6.0). His 199 assists last season were the second-most all-time in a single season at Penn State, while his 88 steals ranked third-most in the Penn State single-season record book.

The point guard transferred to Penn State ahead of the 2023-24 season following three standout years at VCU in which he was a two-time All-Conference pick and the 2023 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.

Baldwin Jr. and the Nittany Lions kick off the 2024-25 season on Monday, Nov. 4, when Penn State hosts Binghamton inside the Bryce Jordan Center.

2024-25 Preseason All-Big Ten Team (as determined by a media vote)

Oumar Ballo, Indiana

Payton Sandfort, Iowa

Dawson Garcia, Minnesota

Brooks Barnhizer, Northwestern

Bruce Thornton, Ohio State

Jackson Shelstad, Oregon

Ace Baldwin Jr., Penn State

Braden Smith, Purdue*

Dylan Harper, Rutgers

Great Osobor, Washington

*denotes unanimous selection

Preseason Player of the Year

Braden Smith, Purdue