Iowa State’s Milan Momcilovic Named to Julius Erving Watch List
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Iowa State sophomore forward Milan Momcilovic has garnered recognition by being named to the prestigious Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Watch List, as announced by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Wednesday. This marks the 11th year of the award, which honors top small forwards in Division I men’s college basketball, named in honor of Hall of Famer Julius Erving.
Momcilovic is one of five players from the Big 12 to make the 20-member watch list. During his standout freshman season, he set a school record for the most starts and appearances, playing in all 37 games. He averaged 10.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game, showcasing impressive shooting stats of 42.4 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from three-point range. His contributions earned him a spot on the Big 12 All-Freshman Team and accolades on the Big 12 Championship All-Tournament Team after playing a crucial role in Iowa State’s tournament triumph.
In the championship game against top-ranked Houston, Momcilovic scored 18 points, including four three-pointers, helping secure a significant 69-41 victory. He continued his strong performance into the NCAA Tournament with a 19-point game against South Dakota State.
Fan voting for the award begins on November 1, with a reduction of the watch list down to ten players in January and five in February. The winner will be announced in March, stressing the competitive nature of college basketball awards alongside other honors such as the Bob Cousy Award and the Jerry West Award.
Momcilovic is already making waves, following in the footsteps of previous award winners, including 2024’s Dalton Knecht and 2023’s Jalen Wilson. Fans will be eagerly watching as the season progresses.
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