Bevo Francis Top 50 Watch List released

Small College Basketball released its second watch list for the Bevo Francis Award for the 2022-23 season. The Top 50 features 100 players from DII, DIII, NAIA, USCAA and NCCAA men’s basketball.

The award was created in 2015 and is named after Clarence “Bevo” Francis. Francis played two seasons at what is now the University of Rio Grande. In his first season, he led the team to a 39-0 record averaging 50.1 points per game, highlighted by a 116-point performance against Ashland College in Kentucky.

HISTORY: Francis highlights the best single-seasons in DII lore

DII men’s basketball’s Trevor Hudgins was the previous winner. Hudgins capped his career last season with his third straight national championship, third MIAA player of the year award, and second NABC DII player of the year award as one of the leaders of the Northwest Missouri State dynasty. He was the second Bearcat to win the award since 2017, with Justin Pitts taking the honors that season. 

REMEMBERING FRANCIS: A look back at his career

From the DII men’s basketball perspective, there are 20 players remaining in the hunt for player of the year. No. 1 and undefeated Nova Southeastern is represented by RJ Sunahara while Diego Bernard represents the three-time defending champion Bearcats.

The list will be cut two more times before the winner is announced on April 3. Here are the important dates:

The Bevo Francis Top 50