UConn's Terry Larrier has been named to the 2017 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award preseason watch list. He's one of 20 players on the list. Jalen Adams made the preseason watch list for the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award a few days ago.

Here's the press release for the Erving Award:


The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today the 20 watch list members for the 2017 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award. Named after Hall of Famer and 16-year professional basketball player 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.

“Julius Erving is unquestionably one of the most respected and gifted athletes to ever play the game of basketball,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “Before he was the professional super star known as Dr. J, he was an outstanding small forward at UMass. The young men on this watch list have shown glimpses of Mr. Erving’s skillset and we look forward to watching them develop this season.”

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 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.

“I’m excited to be a part of this process as we set out to identify the top small forward in the college game this year,” said Julius Erving, a 1993 inductee of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “These student-athletes have worked tirelessly to earn their places on this elite watch list and I know they will continue to improve throughout the season. It’s anyone’s award to be earned.”

By mid-February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2017 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 2017 Julius Erving Award will be presented at the ESPN College Basketball Awards Show presented by Wendy’s in Los Angeles, CA on Friday, April 7, 2017. Broadcast information will be released at a later date.

Previous winners of the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award include Denzel Valentine, Michigan State (2016) and Stanley Johnson, Arizona (2015). For more information on the 2017 Julius Erving Award, log onto www.HoophallAwards.com.

2017 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award Candidates


Evan Bradds, Belmont

Kelan Martin, Butler

Jaron Blossomgame, Clemson

Terry Larrier, UConn

Jayson Tatum Duke

Dwayne Bacon, Florida State

OG Anunoby, Indiana

Deng Adel, Lousiville

Justin Jackson, North Carolina

VJ Beachem, Notre Dame

Jae'Sean Tate, Ohio State

Dillon Brooks, Oregon

Tres Tinkle, Oregon State

Vince Edwards, Purdue

Dikembe Dixson, UIC

Kevin Hervey, UT-Arlington

Jalen Moore, Utah State

Josh Hart, Villanova

Markis McDuffie, Wichita State

Trevon Bluiett, Xavier

*Players can play their way onto and off of the list at any point in the 2016-17 season*