On Tuesday, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced 16 candidates for the inaugural Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award, which recognizes the top power forward in Division I men’s college basketball.
Malone, a 2010 inductee of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, said on Tuesday in a news release he is honored to have the award named after him.
“I’m grateful to be a part of this prestigious award,” said Malone. “To be recognized by the Basketball Hall of Fame is an honor and each of the … power forwards on this list is very deserving.”
“2015 marks the first year the Basketball Hall of Fame will recognize the top players in all positions in men’s college basketball,” said John L. Doleva, president and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame, in Tuesday’s news release. “When it comes to power forwards who have had a drastic impact on the game, Karl Malone is at the top of the list. In terms of consistent play, ‘The Mailman’ always delivered, and we are delighted to include him in this recognition of the best power forwards in the game today.”
A two-time NBA Most Valuable Player and second in the all-time leading scorer list in NBA history, Karl Malone played 18 of 19 seasons with the Jazz, is the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, and is one of the two most iconic players in Utah Jazz history, along with John Stockon.
Malone attended Louisiana Tech University due to its close proximity to his hometown of Summerfield, Louisiana. He played three seasons for the Bulldogs (1982-85) and led them to one Sweet 16 appearance. Malone earned All-Southland honors in his three seasons, averaging 18.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.
The winner of the 2015 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award will be presented at ESPN’s new College Basketball Awards in Los Angeles on Friday, April 10.
2015 Karl Malone Award candidates
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, University of Arizona
Justin Moss, University of Buffalo
Kevon Looney, UCLA
Kyle Wiltjer, Gonzaga University
David Laury, Iona College
Aaron White, University of Iowa
Georges Niang, Iowa State University
Perry Ellis, University of Kansas
Jordan Mickey, Louisiana State University
Montrezl Harrell, University of Louisville
Jake Layman, University of Maryland
Christian Wood, UNLV
Seth Tuttle, University of Northern Iowa
Myles Turner, University of Texas
Larry Nance Jr., University of Wyoming
Rico Gathers, Baylor University
For more information on the 2015 Karl Malone Power Forward Award, click here.
Xoel CÀrdenas is a writer with Deseret News sports. He is also a columnist at SB Nation, the largest sports blog site in the country, where he covers FC Barcelona. Follow him on Twitter @XoelCardenas.