From the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame:
SPRINGFIELD, MASS. – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today the twenty watch list members for the 2016 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award presented by University of Massachusetts. Named after Hall of Famer and 11-time NBA All-Star Julius Erving, the annual honor in its second year recognizes the top small forwards in Division I men’s college basketball. A national committee comprised of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates.
“As a small forward, Julius Erving excelled at both the collegiate and professional level for nearly thirty years,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “Dr. J is one of the most gifted athletes to ever play the game of basketball and it only seems right that this award would bear his name. We thank Mr. Erving’s alma mater, UMass, for their continued support of this award.”
Julius Erving attended the University of Massachusetts and averaged 26.3 points and 20.2 rebounds per game, making him one of only six NCAA men’s basketball players to average more than 20 points and 20 rebounds per game. After two seasons, Erving made the jump the American Basketball Association and was the league’s most recognizable player when it merged with the National Basketball Association in 1976. During his professional career, Erving won three championships, four most valuable player awards and three scoring titles. In 1996, he was named a member of the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team.
“I would like to thank the Basketball Hall of Fame for recognizing these hardworking young men and allowing me to be a part of the process,” said Julius Erving, a 1993 inductee of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “It is no small feat to be selected to this watch list and we are all excited to see how these players progress throughout the season.”
By mid-February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2016 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award will be narrowed to just 10. In March, five finalists will be presented to Mr. Erving and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. The winner of the 2016 Julius Erving Award will be presented at the ESPN College Basketball Awards presented by Wendy’s from Club Nokia in Los Angeles, CA on Friday, April 8, 2016. Broadcast information will be released at a later date.
Last season, Stanley Johnson of Arizona was named the inaugural winner of the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award presented by University of Massachusetts. For more information on the 2016 Julius Erving Award, log onto www.HoophallAwards.com.
2016 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award Candidates
Jaylen Brown, California
Daniel Hamilton, Connecticut
Rodney Purvis, Connecticut
Brandon Ingram, Duke
John Brown, High Point
Troy Williams, Indiana
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, Kansas
Wayne Selden, Jr., Kansas
Alex Poythress, Kentucky
Damion Lee, Louisville
Ben Simmons, Louisiana State
Jake Layman, Maryland
Denzel Valentine, Michigan State
Justin Jackson, North Carolina
DeAndre Bembry, Saint Joseph’s
Malik Pope, San Diego State
Michael Gbinije, Syracuse
D.J. Hogg, Texas A&M
Brandon Taylor, Utah
Nigel Hayes, Wisconsin
