Saddiq Bey ’18 started small in everything but heart at Sidwell Friends. But he didn’t stay that way for long.

“Saddiq’s career began as a 5-foot-9, 145-pound freshman who, despite his dimensions, had a strong desire to be a great player,” said Bey’s former coach Eric Singletary ’93. “Saddiq would go through incremental growth spurts over the years, culminating as a 6-foot-7 senior. He is truly a testament to dedication. His burning desire to improve and compete are the hallmarks of his success and his journey.”

That drive paid off this week as Bey was named the winner of the Julius Erving Award, which is presented to the nation’s top college small forward. Bey, who just completed his sophomore year at Villanova, also announced that he would be entering this year’s NBA draft. (Bey is actually the second Sidwell Friends alum to win the award while at Villanova; Josh Hart ’13 won it in 2017.)

Even though Bey didn’t make the Sidwell starting five until midway through his junior season, “he proved himself to be a tremendous teammate who exercised humility and selflessness throughout his career,” Singletary said. “He led the Quakers to a 2017 MAC championship and was twice named to the All-MAC team. He was a 1,000-point scorer who displayed his versatility and multifaceted game on a nightly basis.”

“Saddiq embodied so many qualities of what it means to be an athlete at a Quaker school,” said Keith Levinthal, David P. Pearson ’52 Director of Athletics. “When I think about Saddiq, the words that come to mind are humility, reflective, studious, and role model.”

The entire Sidwell Friends community congratulates Bey, and we look forward to the successes that undoubtedly lie in his future.