Michigan State University Athletics
Final Five Candidates Named For 2016 Julius Erving Award
3/9/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Wednesday the five finalists for the 2016 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award. Michigan State senior Denzel Valentine is joined by Duke's Brandon Ingram, Kansas' Wayne Selden Jr., LSU's Ben Simmons and Saint Joseph's DeAndre Bembry.
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 narrowed the original watch list of 20 candidates down to 10 and now the final five.
"As a small forward, Julius Erving excelled at 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 to be nominated for an award that bears his name is a remarkable honor. These five finalists are truly special."
The winner of the 2016 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award will be determined by a combination of fan votes and input from the Basketball Hall of Fame's selection committee. Fans are encouraged to visitwww.HoophallAwards.com to cast their votes March 11-25.
The winner of the 2016 Julius Erving Award will be awarded at ESPN's College Basketball Awards presented by Wendy's from Club Nokia in Los Angeles, CA on Friday, April 8, 2016. The Awards will be televised live on ESPN2 at 8 p.m. EST.
