Momcilovic Named to Julius Erving Award Preseason Watch List

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Iowa State forward Milan Momcilovic has been named to the Julius Erving Award Preseason Watch List. Momcilovic is among 20 small forwards in the country named to the list.

This is the second Cyclone this week named to the Naismith Starting 5 Awards, as point guard Tamin Lipsey was named to the Bob Cousy Award Watch List on Monday. Iowa State is one of 16 schools that has at least two players on three of the Naismith Starting 5 Watch Lists that have been named so far this week.

Momcilovic appeared in 28 games last season, while making 27 starts. He missed seven games in the middle of Big 12 play with a left-hand injury, but averaged 11.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.4 steals and 0.3 blocked shots in 27.6 minutes per game for the season. He shot 42.9 percent from the field, 39.6 percent from deep and 83.7 percent at the free throw line. Momcilovic scored a career-high 24 points against Colorado in the Maui Invitational, where he also tied a career-high with six 3-pointers. He hit a 3-pointer in the final 13 games of the season, while his 63 3-pointers were the third-most by a sophomore in school history last year.

The annual Julius Erving Award, named after the Class of 1993 Hall of Famer and 17-year professional basketball player, celebrates its 12th year by recognizing the top small forwards in Division I men's college basketball.

Fans can support their favorite player by participating in Fan Voting starting Friday, October 31. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2026 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 committees, where winners will be selected. The Selection Committees for the Julius Erving Award are composed of top men's college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.

The winner of the 2026 Erving Award will be presented on a to-be-determined date, along with the other four members of the Men's Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Bob Cousy Award (Point Guard), Jerry West Award (Shooting Guard), Karl Malone Award (Power Forward) and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award (Center).

Previous winners of the Julius Erving Award are Cooper Flagg, Duke (2025), Dalton Knecht, Tennessee (2024), Jalen Wilson, Kansas (2023), Wendell Moore Jr., Duke (2022), Corey Kispert, Gonzaga (2021), Saddiq Bey, Villanova (2020), Rui Hachimura, Gonzaga (2019), Mikal Bridges, Villanova (2018), Josh Hart, Villanova (2017), Denzel Valentine, Michigan State (2016), and Stanley Johnson, Arizona (2015).

For more information on the 2025 Julius Erving and Cheryl Miller Awards and the latest updates, visit hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophallu, #ErvingAward, and #MillerAward on X and Instagram.