Evans Named to Julius Erving Award Watch List

UC junior Jacob Evans has been named to the watch list for the 2018 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award.

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Evans Named to Julius Erving Award Watch ListEvans Named to Julius Erving Award Watch List
CINCINNATI – University of Cincinnati junior guard/forward Jacob Evans (Baton Rouge, La./St. Michael the Archangel) has been named one of 20 watch list members for the 2018 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced Wednesday.

Evans led the Bearcats in scoring, averaging 13.5 points with 4.2 rebounds last season. A 2017 Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year finalist, NABC District 25 Second Team selection and American Championship All-Tournament team honoree, Evans ranked among the league leaders in three-point field goal percentage (fifth at .418), steals (ninth at 1.3), field goal percentage (11th at .473), points (12th at 13.5), three-pointers made (12th at 1.9), free throw percentage (14th at .732) and minutes played (26th at 31.6). He scored in double figures in 31 of 36 games in 2016-17, the most by a Bearcat since Sean Kilpatrick (33 of 34 games in 2013-14). 

Named after Hall of Famer and 16-year professional basketball player Julius Erving, the annual honor in its fourth 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.

"With his combination of domination on the court and tremendous scoring ability, Julius Erving forged the way for future small forwards in the game of basketball," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame.  "After being a historical player at UMass, he went on to have a monumental career in the ABA and NBA. The Basketball Hall of Fame recognizes the twenty young men on this award watch list as showing similar dedication and skill as Dr. J and we cannot wait to see how they contribute to their teams' success this season."

By mid-February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2018 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award will be narrowed to 10. In March, five finalists will be presented to Mr. Erving and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. The winner of the 2018 Julius Erving Award will be presented at the ESPN College Basketball Awards Show presented by Wendy's in Los Angeles on Friday, Apr. 6, 2018. Broadcast information will be released at a later date.

Previous winners of the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award include Josh Hart, Villanova (2017), Denzel Valentine, Michigan State (2016) and Stanley Johnson, Arizona (2015). 

For more information on the 2018 Julius Erving Award, log onto www.HoophallAwards.com.

// 2018 JULIUS ERVIN SMALL FORWARD OF THE YEAR AWARD CANDIDATES
Rawle Alkins , Arizona
Kelan Martin, Butler
Jacob Evans, Cincinnati
Gary Trent Jr., Duke
Zach Norvell Jr., Gonzaga
Kevin Knox, Kentucky
Deng Adel, Louisville
Justin Jackson, Maryland
Bruce Brown Jr., Miami
Miles Bridges, Michigan St.
Tyler Hall    Montana St
Jeffrey Carroll, Oklahoma St. 
Troy Brown Jr., Oregon
Vincent Edwards, Purdue
De'Monte Buckingham, Richmond
DJ Hogg, Texas A&M
Kris Wilkes, UCLA
Mikal Bridges, Villanova
Markis McDuffie, Wichita State 
Trevon Bluiett, Xavier
*Players can play their way onto and off of the list at any point in the 2017-18 season*

// MINI PLANS AND SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Don't miss any of the action inside BB&T Arena during the 2017-18 season. Mini plans and season tickets are on sale now. 

Starting as low as $150, the five-game mini plan offers Bearcats fans the option to pick two from contests against Wichita State, UConn, SMU or Mississippi State, as well as three other games of their choice. 

A limited number of season tickets also remain on sale. Season ticket holders for the 2017-18 campaign will earn additional priority for selecting their seats for the 2018-19 season inside newly renovated Fifth Third Arena. 

Tickets are in high demand and seats are limited. To purchase mini plans or season tickets, please visit GoBearcats.com/tickets or call 1-877-CATS-TIX.

The Bearcats return their top three scorers from last season's squad that won 30 games, posted an undefeated home record and earned its seventh consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.