Corey Kispert Named Finalist for 2020 Julius Erving Award

Gonzaga Bulldogs junior forward Corey Kispert has been named one of five finalists for the 2020 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year. He joins Jordan Nwora, Precious Achiuwa, Saddiq Bey, and Naji Marshall for the honors.

Kispert is one of the few holdovers from the 2018-19 Gonzaga squad and was asked to take on a larger offensive role. For the most part, he has delivered. His eFG% of 60.5 ranks 52nd in the country. His 44% three-point shooting ranks 32 in the country. His offensive rating of 125 ranks 28th in the country (all of these stats come from KenPom.com).

Kispert is the second-leading scorer for the nation’s top offense. He averages 14.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. He is the top outside shooting threat on the Zags, averaging 5.6 three-point attempts per game. He also is tied for the best free throw shooting on the squad (with Joel Ayayi) at 81.8 percent.

Most importantly for Gonzaga, Kispert, as a junior, is one of the vocal leaders and faces of a squad that lost 80 percent of its minutes from the previous year, including the 2019 winner, Rui Hachimura.

The winner of the award will be presented at The College Basketball Awards on Friday, April 10.