Wichita State junior Markis McDuffie is one of 20 watch list members for the 2017 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Wednesday.
 
McDuffie was a first team All-Missouri Valley Conference selection in 2017 after leading the Shockers in points (11.5), rebounds (5.7) and steals (42).
 
Now in its fourth year, the award recognizes the top small forwards in Division I men's college basketball. A national committee comprised of top college basketball personnel determines the initial list of 20 candidates.
 
By mid-February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2017 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award will be narrowed to just 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 in Los Angeles in April.
 
The award is named in honor of 11-time NBA All-Star and three-time MVC, Julius Erving. The former University of Massachusetts standout is one of only six NCAA men's basketball players to average more than 20 points and 20 rebounds per game.
 
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 2017 Julius Erving Award, log onto www.HoophallAwards.com.
 

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2018 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award Candidates
*Players can play their way onto and off of the list at any point in the 2016-17 season*
 
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 St.)
Trevon Bluiett (Xavier)