Julius Erving Award Watch List 2016: Full List Released

Ben Simmons of LSU, the nation's top incoming recruit, is among the headliners on the 2015-16 Julius Erving Award preseason watch list. Alex Poythress and Nigel Hayes are also early contenders in the wide-open race to be named college basketball's top small forward.  

While there are some familiar names on the initial list, many of the players are just getting ready to make their breakthrough, including Simmons. It's an opportunity to capture the spotlight created by the collegiate departures of Stanley Johnson, the inaugural award winner last season, and Justise Winslow.

Here's a look at the full watch list, per Jeff Borzello of ESPN.com:

Player	School
Jaylen Brown	California
Daniel Hamilton	Connecticut
Rodney Purvis	Connecticut
Brandon Ingram	Duke
John Brown	High Point
Troy Williams	Indiana
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk	Kansas
Wayne Selden Jr.	Kansas
Alex Poythress	Kentucky
Damion Lee	Louisville
Ben Simmons	LSU
Jake Layman	Maryland
Denzel Valentine	Michigan State
Justin Jackson	North Carolina
DeAndre Bembry	Saint Joseph's
Malik Pope	San Diego State
Michael Gbinije	Syracuse
D.J. Hogg	Texas A&M
Brandon Taylor	Utah
Nigel Hayes	Wisconsin

Simmons is receiving an incredible amount of hype heading into his freshman season. He checked in as the No. 1 prospect in the 2015 class, according to 247Sports' composite rankings, and he is already the projected top pick for the 2016 draft, per NBADraft.net.

Now, the rising star must prove all of the attention is warranted by providing an immediate boost to LSU. One thing's for sure: NBA teams are already watching closely, as Olgun Uluc of Fox Sports Australia highlighted:

While Simmons will step directly into the spotlight, Poythress and Hayes have waited for their chance to take center stage.

Kentucky's incredibly deep and talented rosters, along with an ACL injury, over the past two seasons have limited Poythress' impact. He should get the opportunity to receive far more consistent playing time this season, and that increased usage moves him firmly into the award conversation.

Hayes found himself third in Wisconsin's pecking order behind Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker one year ago. They both left for the NBA, making him the go-to guy. He admitted he's worked on his game to prepare for the bigger role, as noted by Jim Polzin of Madison.com:

"

Off-the-dribble action, as far as getting to the rim and shooting off the dribble. I think those things need to be improved the most, and also people have told me that's what the (NBA) scouts would like to see in my game, is me creating more for myself to the rim and off my shot. I think that's something that will be pivotal this year, given the fact that I don't have Frank and Sam to play off.

"

He scored at least 12 points in five of the Badgers' six NCAA tournament games last season. It's up to him to prove that wasn't just because defenses were focused on his teammates.

If Simmons plays anywhere near the level the preseason hype would suggest, he's the favorite to capture the Erving Award. That said, if the transition is tougher than expected, it will open the door for players like Poythress and Hayes, among others.