Momcilovic Named Finalist for Julius Erving Award

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Iowa State forward Milan Momcilovic has been named one of five finalists for the Julius Erving Award. The award goes to the best small forward in the country.

Momcilovic is regarded as the best shooter in the country and has proved it all season. He's 114-of-228 from 3-point range, setting the Iowa State single-season mark in 3-pointers that was previously held by Dedric Willoughby with 102. He's on pace to set the Cyclone single-season 3-point percentage record as well. He made 64 3-pointers in Big 12 play, tied for the third-most in a season in league history. At 6'8", he's the first power conference player at that height to shoot over 50 percent from 3-point range in college basketball history.

Joining Momcilovic in the Top 5 are AJ Dybantsa (BYU), Thomas Haugh (Florida), Nate Ament (Tennessee) and Dailyn Swain (Texas).

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 are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting in both of the remaining rounds starting on Friday, March 13, on hoophallawards.com. The Fan Vote will count as one committee vote during the finalist selection process.

In late March, the five finalists will be presented to Erving and the Hall of Fame's selection committees, where the winner will be selected. The Selection Committee for the Julius Erving Award is 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.

The Cyclones return to action Wednesday morning, as fifth-seeded Iowa State faces 12th-seeded Arizona State in the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Tournament Second Round at the T Mobile Center in Kansas City. Tipoff is set for 11:30 a.m. on ESPN.