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UCLA Basketball: Kris Wilkes named to the Julius Erving Award watch list

By Mike Regalado

DAYTON, OH - MARCH 13: Kris Wilkes #13 of the UCLA Bruins reacts against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies during the second half of the First Four game in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 13, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
DAYTON, OH - MARCH 13: Kris Wilkes #13 of the UCLA Bruins reacts against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies during the second half of the First Four game in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 13, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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The UCLA basketball team has a second player named to a preseason award watch list as Kris Wilkes is one of 20 in contention for the Julius Erving Award.

After UCLA basketball‘s Jaylen Hands was named to the Bob Cousy Award watch list, fellow sophomore Kris Wilkes has been bestowed a similar honor as he was named to the 2019 preseason Julius Erving Award watch list.

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Voted on by the Basketball Hall of Fame, the Julius Erving Award honors the best small forward in Division I basketball. The award is named after one of the greatest small forwards to ever play the game. Erving, or as he is more popularly known as, “Dr. J”, had an interesting style that helped modernize the game of basketball.

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His spirit is embodied in the award that honors wing players who not only have a high basketball IQ but flare that stands out and brings excitement to the game of hoops.

That is exactly what UCLA’s Wilkes brings. As part of a top 10 recruiting class, Wilkes began his career as a freshman at UCLA last season and made quite the impact.

He started in 32 of the 33 games he played in last season and was the team’s second-leading scorer behind Aaron Holiday with 13.7 points per game. Wilkes was also second in rebounds per game behind Thomas Welsh with 4.9.

Wilkes is able to play in the paint and shoot from behind the line, which made him a matchup nightmare, especially when he stands at 6’8. After last season, Wilkes tested the waters of the NBA Draft, but after some feedback at the combine, decided to return to Westwood to improve his game.

His talents will help the Bruins compete for the Pac-12 along with Hands and a handful of freshmen that made up part of another Top 10 recruiting class.

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With Wilkes back, he will make a positive impact with the Bruins, so do not be surprised if you see him at season’s end raising the Erving Award. Congratulations, Kris!