Xavier University Athletics
Colby Jones Named To The Preseason Julius Erving Award Watch List
10.26.22 | Men's Basketball
Award recognizes the top small forwards in the nation.
CINCINNATI --- The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today that Xavier University junior Colby Jones has been named as one of the 20 watch-list members for the 2023 Julius Erving Award. Named after Class of 1993 Hall of Famer and 16-year professional basketball player Julius Erving, the annual honor in its ninth year recognizes the top small forwards in Division I men's college basketball. A national committee of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates.
Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, in each of the three rounds beginning Friday, October 28. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2023 Julius Erving Award will be narrowed to 10 and then in late February to just five. In March, the five finalists will be presented to Erving and the Hall of Fame's selection committee where a winner will be selected.
Jones, who was named Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team by the league coaches earlier this month, was named Honorable Mention All-American by Jon Rothstein on CollegeHoopsToday.com.
Jones was named 2022 NIT Most Outstanding Player after averaging a team-high 14.8 ppg. to go with 6.0 rpg. for XU's five-game NIT Championship run. Jones finished second on the team and 11th in the BIG EAST in rebounding at 7.3 rpg. last season, while ranking third on the team in scoring at 11.6 ppg. and second in assists (13th in the BIG EAST) at 3.2 apg.
Xavier opens the 2022-23 season on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at Cintas Center with an exhibition game against Kentucky Wesleyan. Opening Night is Monday, Nov. 7 vs. Morgan State.
