SPRINGFIELD, MASS. – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today the 10 candidates for the 2018 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award. Named after Hall of Famer and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Karl Malone, the annual honor in its fourth year recognizes the top power forwards in Division I men’s college basketball. A national committee comprised of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 21 candidates in October, which has now been narrowed to just 10.
“As a physical force, dependable teammate and remarkable leader, Karl Malone has set the bar for power forwards exceptionally high,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “As someone who has had tremendous success at the collegiate and professional level, Karl will offer invaluable perspective when evaluating our candidates.”
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Karl Malone attended Louisiana Tech University due to its proximity to his hometown of Summerfield, Louisiana. He led the Bulldogs to a Sweet 16 appearance and earned All-Southland honors in his three seasons while averaging 18.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Malone achieved great success during his 19 seasons in the NBA as a 14-time NBA All-Star (1988-98, 2000-02), 11-time All-NBA First Team player (1989-99) and a member of the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team. He also won two Olympic gold medals (1992, 1996) and is a 2010 inductee of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
In March, five finalists will be presented to Mr. Malone and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee for the 2018 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award. The winner will be honored at ESPN’s College Basketball Awards presented by Wendy’s in downtown Los Angeles on Friday, April 6, 2018. Additional awards being presented include the Bob Cousy Point Guard Award, the Jerry West Shooting Guard Award, the Julius Erving Small Forward Award and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center Award. Broadcast information will be released at a later date.
Previous winners of the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award include Johnathan Motley, Baylor (2017), Georges Niang, Iowa State (2016) and Montrezl Harrell, Louisville (2015). For more information on the Karl Malone Award, visit www.HoophallAwards.com.
2018 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award Candidates
| Deandre Ayton | Arizona |
| Gary Clark Jr. | Cincinnati |
| Marvin Bagley III | Duke |
| Wendell Carter Jr. | Duke |
| Yante Maten | Georgia |
| Nick King | Middle Tennessee |
| Jordan Murphy | Minnesota |
| Luke Maye | North Carolina |
| Mike Daum | South Dakota St. |
| Robert Williams | Texas A&M |
*Players can play their way onto and off of the list at any point in the 2017-18 season*
