• Julius Erving Award Website
Belmont University men's basketball senior
Evan Bradds has been named a finalist for the 2017 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Wednesday.
Of the 10 finalists, Bradds is the lone honoree outside of a power conference.
Bradds, who was named 2016 OVC Player of the Year, Honorable Mention AP All-American, and All-District by the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) and National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), has led the nation in field goal percentage each of the last two seasons.
His career field goal percentage of .672 is top three in NCAA Division I men's basketball since the statistical category was first tracked in 1948.
One of the most consistent frontcourt players in college basketball, Bradds has scored in double figures in 46 of his last 52 games, including 19 games this season.
Ranked as the third-most efficient offensive player (behind only Alex Peters of Valparaiso and Devin Cannady of Princeton) returning to college basketball by noted statistician Ken Pomeroy, Bradds was named to three national award watch lists in the preseason.
Bradds ranks second in the OVC and 18th nationally in points per game (21.1). He has 192 points and 64 rebounds over his last eight games.
Named after Hall of Famer and 11-time NBA All-Star Julius Erving, the annual honor in its third 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 in October, which has now been narrowed to just 10. In March, finalists will be presented to Mr. Erving and the Hall of Fame's selection committee for the 2017 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award. The winner of the 2017 Julius Erving Award will be presented at the ESPN College Basketball Awards Show live from The Novo by Microsoft in downtown Los Angeles on Friday, April 7, 2017.
2017 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award Finalists
Evan Bradds, Belmont
Kelan Martin, Butler
Jaron Blossomgame, Clemson
Jayson Tatum, Duke
Dwayne Bacon, Florida St.
Josh Jackson, Kansas
Justin Jackson, North Carolina
Dillon Brooks, Oregon
Josh Hart, Villanova
Trevon Bluiett, Xavier