This award honors V.C. "Bud" Obee, Director of The Tournament during the championships' first 24 years in Hutchinson. Obee is credited with much of the championship's sustained success during that important era. The award is presented annually to the player displaying good character, leadership, and loyalty to his fellow players and coaches. Special consideration is given to defensive ability. To be eligible for this award a player must be no taller than 6' 1".
| BUD OBEE OUTSTANDING SMALL PLAYER AWARD | 2020-present | |||
| PLAYER | COLLEGE | YEAR | |
| Dylan Williams | Triton (IL) | 2024 | |
| Chris Robinson | Dodge City (KS) | 2023 | |
| Kam Woods | Northwest Florida State | 2022 | |
| Cevin Clark | Cowley (KS) | 2021 | |
| No tournament held due to COVID-19 | 2020 | ||
| BUD OBEE OUTSTANDING SMALL PLAYER AWARD | 2010-2019 | |||
| PLAYER | COLLEGE | YEAR | |
| Keyshaad Dixon | Ranger (TX) | 2019 | |
| Keshon Montague | Barton (KS) | 2018 | |
| Ahmed Ali | Eastern Florida State | 2017 | |
| Chase Carlton | Kilgore (TX) | 2016 | |
| Jarvis Williams | Holmes (MS) | 2015 | |
| Lester Medford | Indian Hills (IA) | 2014 | |
| Deandre Mathieu | Central Arizona | 2013 | |
| Devonte Smith | South Plains (TX) | 2012 | |
| Neil Watson | Coffeyville (KS) | 2011 | |
| Joe Ragland | North Platte (NE) | 2010 | |
| BUD OBEE OUTSTANDING SMALL PLAYER AWARD | 2000-09 | |||
| PLAYER | COLLEGE | YEAR | |
| Malcom Armstead | Chipola (FL) | 2009 | |
| Brian Green | Salt Lake (UT) | 2008 | |
| J.J. Seymour | Coffeyville (KS) | 2007 | |
| Keith Richardson | Coffeyville (KS) | 2006 | |
| Tarrance Crump | Shelton State (AL) | 2005 | |
| Brian Latham | Midland (TX) | 2004 | |
| Jihad Muhammed | San Jacinto-Central (TX) | 2003 | |
| Thomas Hill | Arkansas-Fort Smith | 2002 | |
| Marcus Banks | Dixie State (UT) | 2001 | |
| Eugene Costelle | Midland (TX) | 2000 | |
| BUD OBEE OUTSTANDING SMALL PLAYER AWARD | 1990-99 | |||
| PLAYER | COLLEGE | YEAR | |
| Barron Thelmon | Indian Hills (IA) | 1999 | |
| Ty Church | Ricks (ID) | 1998 | |
| Shawn Myrick | North Idaho | 1997 | |
| Detric White | Connors State (OK) | 1996 | |
| Carlo Walton | Seward County (KS) | 1995 | |
| Paul Banks | Connors State (OK) | 1994 | |
| Mike Kirksey | Vincennes (IN) | 1993 | |
| Anthony Beane | Three Rivers (MO) | 1992 | |
| Greg Watkins | Aquinas (TN) | 1991 | |
| Mike Allen | Connors State (OK) | 1990 | |
| BUD OBEE OUTSTANDING SMALL PLAYER AWARD | 1980-89 | |||
| PLAYER | COLLEGE | YEAR | |
| Larry Heath | NE Oklahoma A&M | 1989 | |
| Keith Gill | Kankakee (IL) | 1988 | |
| Greg Boo Harvey | San Jacinto-Central (TX) | 1987 | |
| Henry Buchanan | Hutchinson (KS) | 1986 | |
| Mike Murff | Kankakee (IL) | 1985 | |
| Wendell Owens | Westchester (NY) | 1984 | |
| Winfred Case | Seminole State (OK) | 1983 | |
| Spud Webb | Midland (TX) | 1982 | |
| Kevin Strozier | Mott (MI) | 1981 | |
| Casper Ware | Yavapai (AZ) | 1980 | |
| BUD OBEE OUTSTANDING SMALL PLAYER AWARD | 1970-79 | |||
| PLAYER | COLLEGE | YEAR | |
| Steve Swank | Brevard (FL) | 1979 | |
| Mike Bennett | Palm Beach (FL) | 1978 | |
| Russell Saunders | Pensacola (FL) | 1977 | |
| Joe McKeown | Mercer County (NJ) | 1976 | |
| Earl Hinton | Grandview (IA) | 1975 | |
| Ray Williams | San Jacinto-Central (TX) | 1974 | |
| Phil Garrett | North Greenville (SC) | 1973 | |