KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Despite the nominees being sliced in half, Nova Southeastern men's basketball standout Mark Matthews remains among the 2020 Bevo Francis Award Top 50 Watch List, which annually recognizes the nation's best player across NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA Division I, NAIA Division II, USCAA and the NCCAA.

Matthews is now the third Sharks player in as many seasons to be placed on the prestigious list after former point guard David Dennis was honored in both 2018 and 2019.
 
An All-American a year ago, Matthews has arguably been even better this season for an NSU team that's been ranked among the nation's Top-10 throughout. The native of Bonita Springs, Fla. currently tops the Sunshine State Conference in scoring (22.5 ppg), while also leading the Sharks in both rebounding (7.7 rpg) and assists (5.4 apg). Matthews has scored in double figures in 21 of 22 starts, including a program-record, 45-point performance against Palm Beach Atlantic on Jan. 15, and in less than two seasons has become one of just 16 NSU players to surpass 1,000 career points.

"Congratulations to the 50 players that have made the Bevo Francis Watch List," said Small College Basketball's John McCarthy. "What an accomplishment! These players are breaking records and surpassing major milestones for teams that are in the midst of fantastic seasons. Knowing that these players have been chosen from over 1,100 schools - and over 15,000 players that are playing college basketball at the small college levels - this is truly an elite group of players."

The Bevo Francis Award was created in 2015 and is named after Clarence "Bevo" Francis. Francis played two seasons at what is now the University of Rio Grande. In his first season, he led the team to a 39-0 record averaging 50.1 points per game, highlighted by a 116-point performance against Ashland College in Kentucky.

The 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.

This season marks the fifth year of the Bevo Francis Award. Past winners include Dominez Burnett of Davenport, Justin Pitts of Northwest Missouri State, Emanuel Terry of Lincoln Memorial and Aston Francis of Wheaton College.

SCB will trim the Watch List to 25 players on Mar. 15. The finalists will be revealed on Apr. 4 before the winner is officially crowned on Apr. 6.

To view all 50 players on the Watch List, please click here.