Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has cut the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award down to 10 candidates.
Derrick Alston Jr. (Boise State) – The redshirt senior is averaging 16.8 ppg. Alston Jr. scored a season-high 27 points against Sam Houston State. This is the second time Alston Jr. has been in the top 10 for the award.
Corey Kispert (Gonzaga) – Kispert is the leading scorer (20.6) for the top team in the country. Kispert had 32 points vs UVA. He’s scored in double-digits in 14 of the 15 games the Zags have played.
Isaiah Livers (Michigan) – Livers all-around floor game has helped lead the Wolverines to a 13-1 record. The senior is averaging 14.6 points (2nd on team), 6 rebounds (3rd on team) and 2.4 assists a game.
Aaron Henry (Michigan State) – Recently, Henry (junior) has had two of his best games of the season in wins over Nebraska (27 points) and Rutgers (20 points and 8 rebounds).
Ron Harper Jr. (Rutgers) – Harper Jr. has improved his numbers every season. He’s averaging career highs in points (18.6) and rebounds (6.5).
Matt Mitchell (San Diego State) – Mitchell has missed a couple of games due to injury but he made his return to the court against Air Force. Mitchell scored 10 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 14 minutes.
Ziaire Williams (Stanford) – The freshman is averaging 12.5 points per game. He’s scored 16 points or more in six games this season.
Yves Pons (Tennessee) – Pons is saving the best for last. In his last two games, he’s scored 20 points against Missouri and 13 against Mississippi State.
Terrence Shannon Jr. (Texas Tech) – The sophomore averages 12.9 points per game. That’s second on the team (Mac McClung is first). Shannon Jr shoots 47% from the floor.
Sam Hauser (Virginia) – The Marquette transfer has fit in naturally with UVA. He’s scored in double-digits in all the games he’s played.
