Home Virginia senior forward Sam Hauser named to Julius Erving Award watch list
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Virginia senior forward Sam Hauser named to Julius Erving Award watch list

Chris Graham
Sam Hauser
Sam Hauser. Photo by Chris Graham.

Virginia redshirt senior Sam Hauser has been named to the watch list for the 2021 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award.

Hauser sat out the 2019-2020 season as a transfer from Marquette, where he averaged 14.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, shooting 45.9 percent from the floor, 40.2 percent from three-point range and 92.4 percent from the free-throw line in his junior season in 2018-2019.

Hauser spent the 2019-2020 season anchoring the scout team at Virginia, earning the undying praise of his teammates for his elite shooting skills, usually displayed at the expense of fellow bigs Mamadi Diakite and Braxton Key, who were effusive in their praise of the 6’8” Hauser, throwing out talk of him being a preseason favorite for ACC Player of the Year in 2020-2021 and a candidate for All-America status.

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced 20 watch list members for the 2021 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award. Named after Class of 1993 Hall of Famer and 16-year professional basketball player Julius Erving, the annual honor in its seventh 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.

“After the abrupt end to last year’s season, I know we are all very excited to return to the court and offer these outstanding student athletes the opportunity to shine,” said John L. Doleva, president and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame.

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
Isaiah Livers 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

 

 

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Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to Substack or his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].