Bembry named one of five finalists for Erving Small Forward Award

Courtesy of SJUHawks.com

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. – Saint Joseph’s junior DeAndre’ Bembry has been named one of five finalists for the 2016 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award, as announced today by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Named after Hall of Famer and 11-time NBA All-Star Julius Erving, the annual honor in its second year recognizes the top small forwards in Division I men’s college basketball. A national committee comprised of top college basketball personnel narrowed the original watch list of 20 candidates down to 10 and now the final five.

The winner of the 2016 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award will be determined by a combination of fan votes and input from the Basketball Hall of Fame’s selection committee. Fans are encouraged to visit www.HoophallAwards.com to cast their votes from March 11-25.

The winner of the 2016 Julius Erving Award will be honored at ESPN’s College Basketball Awards presented by Wendy’s from Club Nokia in Los Angeles, CA on Friday, April 8, 2016. The Awards will be televised live on ESPN2 at 8 p.m. EST.

2016 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award Finalists

Brandon Ingram, Duke

Wayne Selden, Jr., Kansas

Ben Simmons, Louisiana State

Denzel Valentine, Michigan State

DeAndre’ Bembry, Saint Joseph’s

 

Bembry was named the 2015-16 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and earned All-Atlantic 10 First Team honors for the second year in a row. He was named to the league’s All-Defensive Team and has also earned selection to the USBWA All-District 2 Team.

He is averaging 17.0 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, while topping the team with 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game. He is one of just three players in the nation to average over 17 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists, and is the only player to do while averaging less than 2.5 turnovers per game. The 6-6 forward has scored in double figures in all 31 games, with eight double-doubles, and ranks among the A-10’s leaders in seven categories.

Last season, Stanley Johnson of Arizona was named the inaugural winner of the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award. For more information on the 2016 Julius Erving Award, log onto www.HoophallAwards.com.