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University of North Carolina Athletics
Nassir Little
Photo by: UNC Athletic Communications
Little Named Candidate For Julius Erving Award
October 18, 2018 | Men's Basketball
CHAPEL HILL — The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced this week the 20 watch list members for the 2019 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award. University of North Carolina freshman Nassir Little made the list.
Named after Class of 1993 Hall of Famer and 16-year professional basketball player Julius Erving, the annual honor in its fifth year recognizes the top small forwards in Division I men's college basketball. A national committee comprising top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates.
Little was the Most Valuable Player of the McDonald's All-American Game after scoring 28 points and the Co-MVP of the Jordan Brand Classic (24 points) last spring.
"Julius Erving is well-known for his flare and competitive spirit which have made him one of the most admired and respected in the game across all generations," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. "It is an honor to have his involvement in the Naismith Starting 5 and we look forward to recognizing the young man who most closely mirrors the passion and athleticism of Dr. J this season."
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 to 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 50thAnniversary All-Time Team.
By mid-February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2019 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 2019 Julius Erving Award will be presented at The College Basketball Awards in Los Angeles on Friday, April 12, 2019, along with the other four members of the Naismith Starting 5. Additional awards being presented include the Bob Cousy Point Guard Award, the Jerry West Shooting Guard Award, the Karl Malone Power Forward Award and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center Award.
Previous winners of the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award include Mikal Bridges, Villanova (2018), Josh Hart, Villanova (2017), Denzel Valentine, Michigan State (2016) and Stanley Johnson, Arizona (2015).
For more information on the 2019 Julius Erving Award and the latest updates, log onto www.hoophallawards.com.
2019 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award Candidates
*Players can play their way onto and off of the list at any point in the 2018-19 season.
Named after Class of 1993 Hall of Famer and 16-year professional basketball player Julius Erving, the annual honor in its fifth year recognizes the top small forwards in Division I men's college basketball. A national committee comprising top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates.
Little was the Most Valuable Player of the McDonald's All-American Game after scoring 28 points and the Co-MVP of the Jordan Brand Classic (24 points) last spring.
"Julius Erving is well-known for his flare and competitive spirit which have made him one of the most admired and respected in the game across all generations," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. "It is an honor to have his involvement in the Naismith Starting 5 and we look forward to recognizing the young man who most closely mirrors the passion and athleticism of Dr. J this season."
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 to 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 50thAnniversary All-Time Team.
By mid-February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2019 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 2019 Julius Erving Award will be presented at The College Basketball Awards in Los Angeles on Friday, April 12, 2019, along with the other four members of the Naismith Starting 5. Additional awards being presented include the Bob Cousy Point Guard Award, the Jerry West Shooting Guard Award, the Karl Malone Power Forward Award and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center Award.
Previous winners of the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award include Mikal Bridges, Villanova (2018), Josh Hart, Villanova (2017), Denzel Valentine, Michigan State (2016) and Stanley Johnson, Arizona (2015).
For more information on the 2019 Julius Erving Award and the latest updates, log onto www.hoophallawards.com.
2019 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award Candidates
| Dylan Windler | Belmont |
| Cam Reddish | Duke |
| Elijah Minnie | Eastern Michigan |
| Rui Hachimura | Gonzaga |
| Keldon Johnson | Kentucky |
| Sam Hauser | Marquette |
| Aaron Wiggins | Maryland |
| Caleb Martin | Nevada |
| Nassir Little | North Carolina |
| Louis King | Oregon |
| Tres Tinkle | Oregon St |
| Lamar Stevens | Penn St |
| O'Shea Brissett | Syracuse |
| Admiral Schofield | Tennessee |
| Jordon Varnado | Troy |
| Kris Wilkes | UCLA |
| De'Andre Hunter | Virginia |
| Jaylen Hoard | Wake Forest |
| Matisse Thybulle | Washington |
| Robert Franks Jr. | Washington St. |
*Players can play their way onto and off of the list at any point in the 2018-19 season.
Players Mentioned
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