The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Men’s Basketball’s Swain selected to Julius Erving Award Midseason Top 10
02.04.2026 | Men's Basketball
Junior Dailyn Swain is a contender for the award that recognizes the top small forward in men’s college basketball.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — University of Texas Men's Basketball junior Dailyn Swain has been named one of the top 10 midseason candidates for the 2026 Julius Erving Award, the Naismith Hall of Fame announced Wednesday. Named after Class of 1993 Hall of Famer and 17-year professional basketball player Julius Erving, the annual honor now in its 12th year recognizes the top small forward in Division I men's college basketball.
Fan Voting will begin on Friday, Feb. 6 and will take place at: www.hoophallawards.com. The leading vote-getter will receive one additional vote from the selection committee during the finalist selection process.
The Midseason Top 10 list will be narrowed to five finalists in mid-March. The award winner will be announced ahead of the Final Four in late March/early April, with presentation details to be announced at a later date. The list will remain fluid, and players will have the ability to play themselves on or off the list based on performance until the five finalists are selected. The Selection Committee for the Julius Erving Award is composed of top men's college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers.
Through the first 23 games (23 starts), Swain leads the team in scoring (17.7 ppg), rebounding (7.3 rpg), assists (78, 3.4 apg), steals (42, 1.8 spg) and minutes (31.1 mpg) while hitting 57.7-percent (146-253) from the floor. He has reached double digits in scoring in 21 of the first 23 games, topped the 20-point mark seven times, hit the 30-point mark twice and recorded five double-doubles this season.
In SEC play, Swain is averaging 21.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.9 steals in 33.9 minutes per game while converting 59.5-percent (72-121) from the floor and 81.4-percent (57-70) from the free throw line. In league play, he ranks third in scoring, fourth in rebounding, second in field goal percentage, fourth in steals and third in defensive rebounds (6.5 rpg). Over the last five games, Swain has averaged 25.0 points and 7.8 rebounds per contest while hitting 63.2-percent (43-68) from the floor, including a 42.9-percent (9-21) mark from three-point range, and 90.9-percent (30-33) from the free throw line.
Swain and Texas are back in action when the Longhorns host Ole Miss on Saturday, Feb. 7. Tip is set for 1 p.m. Central in Moody Center, and the game will be televised nationally by ESPN2.
2025-26 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award Midseason Top 10
|
Player |
School |
|
Tounde Yessoufou |
Baylor |
|
AJ Dybantsa |
BYU |
|
Thomas Haugh |
Florida |
|
Milan Momcilovic |
Iowa State |
|
Ryan Conwell |
Louisville |
|
Andrej Stojakovic |
Illinois |
|
Coen Carr |
Michigan State |
|
Nate Ament |
Tennessee |
|
TEXAS |
|
|
Chad Baker-Mazara |
USC |
