Michigan State University Athletics
Valentine Named Finalist For Julius Erving Award
2/3/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Wednesday that Denzel Valentine is one of 10 finalists for the 2016 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award. 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.
Valentine ranks second in the Big Ten in assists (6.6 apg), tied for second in scoring (18.5 ppg) and sixth in rebounding (7.8 rpg). He is the only player to rank in the Top 10 in the Big Ten in all three categories. Valentine ranks second in defensive rebounds (6.7 drpg), first in 3-point field goals made (3.3 pg) and sixth in FT percentage (.828).
Valentine's numbers are arguably the best in recent college basketball history. Since 1995-96, no player has averaged 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists for a season.
Other finalists include Butler's Roosevelt Jones, Duke's Brandon Ingram, Kansas' Wayne Selden Jr., Louisville's Damion Lee, LSU's Ben Simmons, Oregon's Dillon Brooks, Saint Joseph's DeAndre Bembry, Wisconsin's Nigel Hayes and Xavier's Trevon Bluiett.
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 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, Erving was named a member of the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team and in 1993 he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
In March, five finalists will be presented to Mr. Erving and the Hall of Fame's selection committee for the 2016 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award. 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. For more information on the 2016 Julius Erving Award, log onto www.HoophallAwards.com.
