In a thrilling announcement from Springfield, Massachusetts, University of Texas standout Dailyn Swain has been named one of the five finalists for the prestigious 2026 Julius Erving Award. This honor, dedicated to the top small forward in Division I men’s college basketball, is a tribute to the legendary Julius Erving, a Hall of Famer whose influence on the game is still felt today.
Joining Swain on this elite list are A.J. Dybantsa from BYU, Thomas Haugh from Florida, Milan Momcilovic from Iowa State, and Nate Ament from Tennessee. This recognition marks a back-to-back appearance for Texas in the Naismith positional awards spotlight, following Tre Johnson's nod for the Jerry West Award last year.
Fans, get ready to make your voices heard! Starting Friday, March 13, at Noon CT, you can participate in the Fan Voting at www.hoophallawards.com.
Your vote will play a crucial role, counting as one of the committee votes in the selection process. Later this month, the finalists will be presented to Julius Erving himself and the Hall of Fame's selection committee, which includes top basketball minds from media, coaching, and the Hall of Fame.
Swain's season has been nothing short of spectacular. He recently became the first player in Texas history to snag the SEC Newcomer of the Year title, joining an elite group of Longhorns who have made their mark in conference history.
With Travis Mays, Lance Blanks, and B.J. Tyler as his predecessors, Swain is in remarkable company.
Throughout 31 games this season, Swain has been a powerhouse for Texas, leading in scoring (17.7 ppg), rebounding (7.5 rpg), assists (3.4 apg), steals (1.8 spg), and minutes (32.0 mpg). His shooting efficiency is impressive, hitting 55.4% from the floor and 80.7% from the free-throw line. According to ESPN Research, Swain is the only player in a Major Conference leading his team in five major statistical categories-a feat that sets him apart even from Duke’s Cameron Boozer, who leads in four.
Swain has consistently delivered, scoring double digits in 28 of 31 games, surpassing 20 points 11 times, and reaching the 30-point milestone twice. His seven double-doubles this season highlight his versatility and impact. In SEC play, Swain has been a force, averaging 19.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, and maintaining a shooting percentage of 54.9% from the field.
His conference stats are equally impressive: eighth in scoring, third in rebounding, and fourth in field goal percentage. Swain's defensive prowess is evident as he ranks fifth in steals and tied for second in defensive rebounds. Honors have followed his stellar play, including SEC Co-Player of the Week and a spot on the Southwest Maui Invitational All-Tournament Team, along with All-SEC Second Team accolades.
Dailyn Swain's journey this season has been a testament to his skill and determination. As the Julius Erving Award announcement approaches, all eyes will be on this remarkable Longhorn to see if he can bring home the honor.