We have witnessed great things already in the first few months of this college basketball season. Memories are truly made in March, but legacies start to be built in the regular season, and there have certainly been some people building memories. However, we inch closer to that great postseason and we have to start thinking about the season as a whole.
We’re reflecting today on the best small forwards in the nation in light of the Julius Erving Award announcing their midseason watch list. They’ve narrowed down the focus to ten names and each of these players has inspired brilliance for their teams and will be playing meaningful basketball in the weeks ahead. Which of these players most deserves to take home that trophy in April?
10. Andrej Stojakovic (Illinois)
An important offseason addition for the Fighting Illini, Stojakovic previously excelled at both Stanford and California and plays a vital role in the Big Ten. He’s putting up 13.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, but it’s when he’s at his best that Stojakovic really shines. There have been peaks and valleys to his season, including a 30-point performance against Maryland a few weeks ago, while also bringing reliability around the hoop.
9. Tounde Yessoufou (Baylor)
Perhaps the most important offseason addition to Baylor has lived up to the hype, as Yessoufou was a 5-star prospect expected to stun in Waco. He’s averaging 17.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game and is the focal piece on a Bears squad that has underachieved in recent weeks. Regardless, Yessoufou’s performance has been brilliant, bringing reliable scoring and showcasing his potential for the next level.
8. Coen Carr (Michigan State)
Carr is a former Top 30 recruit who found solid work off the bench for the Spartans as an underclassman, but he’s made major strides this season as a starter. Carr’s producing 11.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game and helping lead the Spartans into great position as Top 10 team and legitimate title threat. In addition to great offense production from inside the arc, he’s a valuable asset once again on defense just as well.
7. Nate Ament (Tennessee)
One of the nation’s top recruits this season, Ament is living up to his impressive billing on a strong Volunteers squad. He’s hit his stride in recent weeks and is now averaging 17.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, fresh off a 28-point performance against Ole Miss on Tuesday night. Ament is a creative and crafty player who produces a lot of offense both as a scorer and distributor and has plenty of potential, though Tennessee loves that craftiness on both sides of the ball.
6. Chad Baker-Mazara (USC)
A veteran presence in college basketball, Baker-Mazara has likely met expectations since transferring to USC as he’s put up the best numbers of his D1 career. The four-time transfer is averaging 18.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists and has a hand in virtually every aspect for the Trojans. Baker-Mazara leads the Big Ten in free throw shooting, makes a decent clip (37%) of his 3-pointers, and is certainly a great presence on both ends of the court once again.
5. Ryan Conwell (Louisville)
It’s school four in year four for Conwell and he’s found a great match with the Cardinals. As a senior, he’s putting up 19.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, helming a Louisville team that’s spent much of the season ranked while competing in the ACC. His shooting numbers have taken a step back this season, but he’s become a more consistent scorer and leads his conference in made 3-pointers all while trying to get Louisville back into March Madness again.
4. Dailyn Swain (Texas)
After solid work as an underclassman at Xavier, Swain found his way to Texas this season, following coach Sean Miller in an unsurprising move. He’s taken a significant step forward as a junior and averages 17.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game as a real stat stuffer in Austin. Swain is coming off back-to-back double-doubles and has been very productive during SEC play, garnering national attention even as Texas fails to rise up the league standings.
3. Thomas Haugh (Florida)
After great work off the bench while winning a national championship last year, Haugh has taken a step forward in his junior season. Now a full-time starter with the Gators, he’s become a focal point for this team, putting up 17.6 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Haugh has become one of the top scorers in the SEC but it’s beyond just that, as he’s an incredible weapon on defense just as well. He actually leads the SEC in minutes per game and his availability and reliability make him key to the Gators’ season.
2. Milan Momcilovic (Iowa State)
The early work from Momcilovic was brilliant, but he’s taken another major step forward as he’s become an upperclassman. The junior averages 18.6 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, but it’s more than just that. His 54% mark from outside the arc leads the entire nation, while also leading in total 3-pointers made. Momcilovic is one of the best offensive players in the country and helms an Iowa State team back in the Top 10 again this season with no signs of slowing down.
1. AJ Dybantsa (BYU)
This type of production from the nation’s top recruit shouldn’t come as a surprise, but Dybantsa is still keeping folks in awe this season. Currently second in the nation in scoring, the BYU forward is putting up 23.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game on a very talented Cougars squad right in the thick of the Big 12. Dybantsa is living up to his preseason billing and is just a few weeks removed from a freshman program record 43-point showing against Utah.