University of Memphis Athletics
Tigers freshman forward Precious Achiuwa is a finalist for the Erving Award.
Photo by: Matthew A. Smith
Achiuwa named one of 10 finalists for Erving Award
Feb 05, 2020 | Men's Basketball
Field will be narrowed to five candidates in March
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – University of Memphis freshman forward Precious Achiuwa was named Wednesday as one of 10 finalists for the 2020 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award presented by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
The award is named after Class of 1993 Hall of Famer Julius Erving, who played 16 seasons in professional basketball. The Erving Award is in its sixth season recognizing the nation's top small forwards in Division 1.
A national committee of highly regarded college basketball personnel trimmed the watch list from 20 to 10 candidates.
In March, five finalists will be presented to Erving and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. The winner will be announced April 10 in Los Angeles at The College Basketball Awards presented by Wendy's, which will be attended by the other four finalists.
Achiuwa, from Queens, N.Y., leads the Tigers in scoring (15.2 points per game) and rebounding (10.3 rebounds per game). Earlier this season, he set an American Athletic Conference record with double-doubles in six consecutive games. He leads the UofM with 11 double-doubles.
Achiuwa joins nine other finalists: Derrick Alston Jr. (Boise State); Devin Vassell (Florida State); Corey Kispert (Gonzaga); Jordan Nwora (Louisville); Tres Tinkle (Oregon State); Elijah Hughes (Syracuse); Anthony Lamb (Vermont); Saddiq Bey (Villanova) and Naji Marshall (Xavier). Players can play their way onto and off the list at any point during the season.
Memphis (16-5, 5-3 AAC) plays host to Temple at 7 p.m. Wednesday at FedExForum.
The award is named after Class of 1993 Hall of Famer Julius Erving, who played 16 seasons in professional basketball. The Erving Award is in its sixth season recognizing the nation's top small forwards in Division 1.
A national committee of highly regarded college basketball personnel trimmed the watch list from 20 to 10 candidates.
In March, five finalists will be presented to Erving and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. The winner will be announced April 10 in Los Angeles at The College Basketball Awards presented by Wendy's, which will be attended by the other four finalists.
Achiuwa, from Queens, N.Y., leads the Tigers in scoring (15.2 points per game) and rebounding (10.3 rebounds per game). Earlier this season, he set an American Athletic Conference record with double-doubles in six consecutive games. He leads the UofM with 11 double-doubles.
Achiuwa joins nine other finalists: Derrick Alston Jr. (Boise State); Devin Vassell (Florida State); Corey Kispert (Gonzaga); Jordan Nwora (Louisville); Tres Tinkle (Oregon State); Elijah Hughes (Syracuse); Anthony Lamb (Vermont); Saddiq Bey (Villanova) and Naji Marshall (Xavier). Players can play their way onto and off the list at any point during the season.
Memphis (16-5, 5-3 AAC) plays host to Temple at 7 p.m. Wednesday at FedExForum.
Players Mentioned
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