University of North Carolina Athletics
Ian Jackson and Drake Powell
Jackson & Powell Named Candidates For Erving Award
October 30, 2024 | Men's Basketball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.—University of North Carolina freshmen Ian Jackson and Drake Powell both have earned spots on the preseason watchlist for the Julius Erving Award, given annually to the nation's best small forward.
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced the 20 watch-list candidates on Wednesday afternoon.
The Julius Erving Award, named after the Class of 1993 Hall of Famer and 16-year professional basketball player, celebrates its 11th year by recognizing the top small forwards in Division I men's college basketball.
Fans can support their favorite player by participating in fan voting starting Friday, November 1. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2025 Julius Erving Award will be narrowed to 10, and then in late February, to just five. In March, the five finalists will be presented to Erving and the Hall of Fame's selection committee, where winners will be selected. The selection committee is composed of top men's college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers.
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The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced the 20 watch-list candidates on Wednesday afternoon.
The Julius Erving Award, named after the Class of 1993 Hall of Famer and 16-year professional basketball player, celebrates its 11th year by recognizing the top small forwards in Division I men's college basketball.
Fans can support their favorite player by participating in fan voting starting Friday, November 1. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2025 Julius Erving Award will be narrowed to 10, and then in late February, to just five. In March, the five finalists will be presented to Erving and the Hall of Fame's selection committee, where winners will be selected. The selection committee is composed of top men's college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers.
| 2025 Julius Erving Award Candidates* | |
| KJ Lewis | Arizona |
| BJ Freeman | Arizona State |
| Chad Baker-Mazara | Auburn |
| Tyson Degenhart | Boise State |
| Cooper Flagg | Duke |
| Michael Ajayi | Gonzaga |
| Mackenzie Mgbako | Indiana |
| Payton Sandfort | Iowa |
| Milan Momcilovic | Iowa State |
| AJ Storr | Kansas |
| Jaxson Robinson | Kentucky |
| Matthew Cleveland | Miami (Fla.) |
| Frankie Fidler | Michigan State |
| Mark Mitchell | Missouri |
| Ian Jackson | North Carolina |
| Drake Powell | North Carolina |
| Ace Bailey | Rutgers |
| Arthur Kaluma | Texas |
| Liam McNeeley | UConn |
| Tucker DeVries | West Virginia |
*Players can play their way onto and off the list at any point in the 2024-25 season.
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Shoutout to this duo 👀
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) October 30, 2024
Drake and Ian both are on the Preseason Julius Erving Award Watch List. pic.twitter.com/6CjS3bv2cb
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