Tennessee senior and reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year Yves Pons is one of 20 national preseason candidates for the Julius Erving Award, presented annually to the best small forward in men’s college basketball.
VFL and current Washington Wizards wing Admiral Schofield was named a top five finalist for the Julius Erving Award in 2019.
The award is named after Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Julius Erving, who was known for his ability to score and rebound at a high rate, being one of only six NCAA men’s basketball players to average more than 20 points and 20 rebounds per game. During his professional career, Erving won three championships, four MVP awards and three scoring titles. He was also a member of the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team.
In the Julius Erving Award’s seventh year, the 20 preseason award nominees were determined by a national committee of top college basketball analysts. Throughout the season, players can either drop off or play their way onto the list, which currently includes three SEC players.
Pons has solidified himself as one of the most versatile defensive players to ever suit up for the Volunteers and also enters his senior season as a national defensive player of the year candidate. In last year’s shortened season, the Fuveau, France, native finished with 73 blocks, tying Tennessee’s single-season record. He also led the SEC with 2.4 blocks per game.
Pons also blossomed offensively last season, averaging a career-best 10.8 points while shooting .349 from 3-point range.
Fan voting for the 2021 Julius Erving Award goes live on Friday, Nov. 6. The list of candidates will be trimmed to just 10 players in late January, and the top five finalists will be presented to Erving and the Hall of Fame selection committee in February. The winner of the 2021 Julius Erving Award will be announced on April 9.
2021 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award Candidates
Derrick Alston Jr., Boise State
Jalen Johnson, Duke
Wendell Moore, Duke
Jayden Gardner, East Carolina
Keyontae Johnson, Florida
Corey Kispert, Gonzaga
Brandon Boston Jr., Kentucky
D.J. Jeffries, Memphis
Aaron Wiggins, Maryland
Franz Wagner, Michigan
Aaron Henry, Michigan State
Ron Harper Jr., Rutgers
Matt Mitchell, San Diego State
Ziaire Williams, Stanford
Yves Pons, Tennessee
Terrence Shannon Jr., Texas Tech
Chris Smith, UCLA
Timmy Allen, Utah
Jermaine Samuels, Villanova
Sam Hauser, Virginia
-UT Athletics
