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UNC Basketball: Leaky Black named to Julius Erving Award Watch List

By Nick Delahanty

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 05: A.J. Griffin #21 of the Duke Blue Devils defends Leaky Black #1 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at the Dean E. Smith Center on February 05, 2022 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Duke won 87-67. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 05: A.J. Griffin #21 of the Duke Blue Devils defends Leaky Black #1 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at the Dean E. Smith Center on February 05, 2022 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Duke won 87-67. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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UNC Basketball standout graduate student Leaky Black has been named to the Julius Erving Award Watch list for the upcoming season.

Heading into his graduate season, UNC basketball standout Leaky Black has some unfinished business to take care of.

As he’s developed a reputation as a lockdown defender, Black is once again expected to play a major role for the Tar Heels as they aim for redemption after last season’s national championship game loss.

Heading into the new season, the Concord, North Carolina native is drawing some national recognition as one of the best players at his position.

Black is one of 20 players to be been named to this year’s Julius Erving Award Watch List. The award, which is in its ninth year, is aimed to recognize the top small forwards across Division I college basketball.

Here’s the initial list of candidates for the award (Note: players can work their way on and off the list at any time throughout the 2022-2023 season)

2023 Julius Erving Award Candidates

Brandon Miller (Alabama)
Leaky Black (North Carolina)
Pelle Larsson (Arizona)
Caleb McConnell (Rutgers)
Jordan Walsh (Arkansas)
Harrison Ingram (Stanford)
Baylor Scheierman (Creighton)
Josiah Jordan-James (Tennessee)
Dariq Whitehead (Duke)
Timmy Allen (Texas)
Matthew Cleveland (Florida State)
Kevin Obanor (Texas Tech)
Julian Strawther (Gonzaga)
Jaime Jaquez Jr. (UCLA)
Jalen Wilson (Kansas)
Cam Whitmore (Villanova)
Chris Livingston (Kentucky)
Tyler Wahl (Wisconsin)
Jamison Battle (Minnesota)
Colby Jones (Xavier)

In most cases, Black won’t lead the Tar Heels in scoring, and his stat line may not necessarily jump out at you. However, he’s the glue to the team, as he does a little bit of everything to help the program succeed.

If the Tar Heels need a timely basket, Black has them covered.

If they are looking to slow down the opposing team’s top-scoring threat- Black will handle the assignment.

If the team needs a spark from a veteran presence, Black will be there to get the job done.

Leaky Black may not get the attention that some of his other teammates have received, but what he brings to the table is a crucial element of the UNC basketball program’s overall success.

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