UConn Freshman Colben Landrew Named to Julius Erving Award Watch List

UConn Freshman Colben Landrew Named to Julius Erving Award Watch List

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Colben Landrew Lands on Julius Erving Award Watchlist Before Playing Regular-Season Minute

Before ever taking the floor for a regular-season contest with the Huskies, standout UConn men’s basketball freshman Colben Landrew is already picking up national award buzz. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame released a 20-player watch list for the 2027 Julius Erving Award, which recognizes the top small forward in men’s college basketball.

Landrew joins returning AP third-team All-American Thomas Haugh and No. 1 overall recruit Tyran Stokes on the list. Selection officials will trim the group down to 10 candidates by February and five finalists in March, leading up to the announcement of the winner.

Preseason Accolades and Program Precedents

It marks the second straight season a highly touted UConn freshman has appeared on the preseason watch list. Braylon Mullins also made the Julius Erving list in October 2025. Due to an indefinite injury absence for Solo Ball, Mullins is slated to step into a backcourt capacity during the current campaign. The Indiana native was named to the Jerry West Award watch list.

Colben drive
Photo: uconnhuskies.com

In addition, Silas Demary Jr. landed on the watch list for the Bob Cousy Award—which acknowledges the premier point guard across the country—for the second consecutive year. Having missed out on the group of 10 semifinalists a year ago, he is aiming to make a deeper run this time around. Anticipated later in the week are the watch lists for the Karl Malone and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar awards, which highlight college basketball’s premier power forward and center, respectively, and could feature UConn athletes Nik Khamenia and Na’jai Hines.

UConn’s all-time Naismith Starting 5 winners are a trio of Cousy Award winners: Kemba Walker in 2011, Shabazz Napier in 2014, and Tristen Newton in 2024.

Recruiting Pedigree and Summer Performance

Landrew climbed through scouting boards as a consensus five-star prospect after starring as a 6-foot-6 wing at Wheeler High School in Georgia. The McComb, Mississippi native entered his rookie season in Storrs as a consensus top-30 prospect after a senior year in which he earned Gatorade Player of the Year, Mr. Georgia Basketball, and Naismith High School All-America honors.

UConn Freshman Colben Landrew Named to Julius Erving Award Watch List
Photo: ctinsider.com

He committed to UConn over interest from Louisville, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Purdue, among others. During international play this summer, Landrew boosted his stock by starring for Team USA at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup, where he posted per-game averages of 11.6 points and 4.6 rebounds while recording a 63% true shooting mark. He has also begun appearing in notable 2027 NBA Draft projections.

In preseason play, Landrew led the Huskies with 15 points in an exhibition rout of Purdue and averaged 12 points across UConn’s three preseason games. He shot 51.9 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from three during those outings, showcasing his athleticism and 3-point shooting.

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