SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Gonzaga's
Corey Kispert was named one of 20 candidates for the 2020 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award Wednesday.
Named after Hall of Famer and 16-year professional basketball player Julius Erving, the annual honor in its fifth 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.
Kispert appeared in all 37 games last season, starting in every contest except Senior Night. He averaged eight points per game in 26.1 minutes per game. He led all starters with an .875 free throw percentage. The Edmonds, Wash., native, was second on the team with 61 made three-pointers. Following the season, he was tabbed Academic All-West Coast Conference for his efforts in the classroom.
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, he was named a member of the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team.
By mid-February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2020 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award will be narrowed to just 10. In March, five finalists will be presented to Mr. Erving and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. The winner of the 2020 Julius Erving Award will be presented at The College Basketball Awards presented by Wendy's in Los Angeles on April 10, along with the other four members of the Naismith Starting 5. Additional awards being presented and sponsored by Eaton Ephesus Lighting include the Bob Cousy Point Guard Award, the Jerry West Shooting Guard Award, the Karl Malone Power Forward Award and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center Award.
Last season, Kispert's former teammate
Rui Hachimura, was named the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award winner. Other previous winners include Mikal Bridges, Villanova (2018), Josh Hart, Villanova (2017), Denzel Valentine, Michigan State (2016) and Stanley Johnson, Arizona (2015).
Gonzaga has an exhibition against Lewis-Clark State on Nov. 1. The first regular season game kicks off three consecutive home games and is on Nov. 5, against Alabama State.
2020 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award Candidates
| Josh Green |
Arizona |
| Matthew Hurt |
Duke |
| Scottie Lewis |
Florida |
| Corey Kispert |
Gonzaga |
| Seth Towns |
Harvard |
| Xavier Sneed |
Kansas State |
| Kahlil Whitney |
Kentucky |
| Jordan Nwora |
Louisville |
| Precious Achiuwa |
Memphis |
| Tres Tinkle |
Oregon St. |
| Alpha Diallo |
Providence |
| Nojel Eastern |
Purdue |
| LJ Figueroa |
St. John's |
| Elijah Hughes |
Syracuse |
| Chris Clarke |
Texas Tech |
| Anthony Lamb |
Vermont |
| Saddiq Bey |
Villanova |
| Jaden McDaniels |
Washington |
| CJ Elleby |
Washington State |
| Naji Marshall |
Xavier |
*Players can play their way onto and off of the list at any point in the 2019-20 season*
