KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Black Hills State men's basketball senior Joel Scott was named to the 2023 Bevo Francis Top 25 Watch List, announced by Small College Basketball and the National Awards Committee on Monday afternoon.

The Top 25 Watch List consists of the top players from NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, USCAA and NCCAA.

Scott is currently the third-leading scorer in the RMAC, averaging 22.8 points per game and 752 total points, 25 away from matching his points total from last season that set a program record. Scott also leads the RMAC in rebounding with 9.7 per game and 319 total rebounds.

Nationally, Scott ranks first in defensive rebounds per game (7.91) while he also ranks eighth in points and 15th in rebounds per game. Additionally, his 15 double-doubles this season ranks fifth in the nation.

Now currently with 2,404 career total points, Scott recently cemented himself as the BHSU men's basketball all-time leading scorer and is also the third Yellow Jacket to join the 2,000-point club.

On April 1, the finalists of this year's award will be announced, followed by the Bevo Francis Award winner being crowned on April 3rd.

About the Bevo Francis Award
The Clarence "Bevo" Francis Award is presented annually to the player who has had the finest overall season within Small College Basketball. Considerations will be season statistics and individual achievements, awards, personal character and team achievements. This is an incredibly prestigious award, as this award will only be given to one player within Small College Basketball per season.

2023 marks the seventh year of the Bevo Francis Award. Past winners include Dominez Burnett of Davenport University in 2016, Justin Pitts of Northwest Missouri State University in 2017, Emanuel Terry of Lincoln Memorial University in 2018, Aston Francis of Wheaton College in 2019, Kyle Mangas of Indiana Wesleyan University in 2020 and Trevor Hudgins of Northwest Missouri State University in 2022. The award was not presented during the 2021 season.