Arkansas freshman swingman Jordan Walsh is not only a projected first-round draft pick next spring, he’s also up for awards given to the elite of college basketball already.
The DeSoto, Texas, native was named to the Julius Erving Award watch list on Wednesday. He joined fellow freshman, guard Nick Smith Jr., with watch list honors for individual position awards. Smith is up for the Jerry West Award. The Erving Award is given to the nation’s best small forward.
Walsh was the key frontcourt addition to coach Eric Musselman’s Class 2022 recruiting haul. The class landed six players all ranked in the top 100 in the country. He, Smith and guard Anthony Black are all projected to go in the first round of the NBA Draft.
Walsh is one four SEC players who made the Erving watch list. Tennessee’s Josiah-Jordan James, Kentucky’s Chris Livingston and Alabama’s Brandon Miller joined him.
Walsh scored eight points in Arkansas’ exhibition win over Division II Rogers State last weekend in a starting role. He’s expected to start again Saturday against Texas in Arkansas’ final game of the preseason. The Razorbacks open the regular season November 7 against North Dakota State.
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