Vincent Edwards Named to Julius Erving Award Watch List

And here come the preseason honors! The watch list for the Julius Erving Award, which is given to the nation’s best small forward, its out and it includes our own Vince Edwards:

A national committee comprised of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates, given to the nation’s top small forward. This list will be narrowed down to 10 in mid-February and then five finalists will be selected in March that will be presented to Julius Erving and the selection committee. The winner of this award will be presented at the third annual ESPN College Basketball Awards Show live from The Novo in Los Angeles, California, on Friday, April 7.

This marks the third year for the award, won by Arizona’s Stanley Johnson in 2015 and Michigan State’s Denzel Valentine in 2016.

Last year A.J. Hammons was a finalist for a similar award, the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar award given to centers. This year Edwards likely won’t be the only players nominated for a positional award. He is the only player in Purdue history to have amassed 675 points, 325 rebounds and 175 assists by the conclusion of his sophomore season, and is 1-of-2 active players nationally to have scored at least 675 points with 325 rebounds, 175 assists with 75 made 3-pointers by the end of his sophomore season (Edwards and Oregon's Dillon Brooks).

Here is the complete Erving Watch List (with a Purdue opponent highlighted):

Evan Bradds Belmont

Kelan Martin Butler

Jaron Blossomgame Clemson

Terry Larrier Connecticut

Jayson Tatum Duke

Dwayne Bacon Florida St.

OG Anunoby Indiana

Deng Adel Louisville

Justin Jackson North Carolina

VJ Beachem Notre Dame

Jae'Sean Tate Ohio St.

Dillon Brooks Oregon

Tres Tinkle Oregon St.

Vince Edwards Purdue

Dikembe Dixson UIC

Kevin Hervey UT Arlington

Jalen Moore Utah St.

Josh Hart Villanova

Markis McDuffie Wichita St.

Trevon Bluiett Xavier