SPRINGFIELD, Mass.–The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced the 20 watch-list members for the 2024 Karl Malone Award. Named after Class of 2010 Hall of Famer and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Karl Malone, the annual honor, in its tenth year, recognizes the top power forwards in Division I men's college basketball.
A national committee of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates, which includes Illini senior
Coleman Hawkins.
Hawkins started all 33 games last season, leading the team in minutes played (32.5 mpg). His versatility and all-around game was on display in all facets, where he ranked third on the Illini in scoring (9.9 ppg), led the team in rebounds (6.3 rpg) as well as assists (3.0 apg), and was second on the roster in both blocked shots (1.2 bpg) and steals (1.1 spg).
"We are proud to recognize this group of student-athletes as the best power forwards in the collegiate game this season," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. "To be named to the watchlist of the Karl Malone Award is a great honor, and we are excited to have Karl's unique perspective alongside our selection committee each year."
2024 Karl Malone Award Candidates*
Adem Bona, UCLA
Trevon Brazile, Arkansas
Tristan da Silva, Colorado
Kyle Filipowski, Duke
Enrique Freeman, Akron
Coleman Hawkins, Illinois
DaRon Holmes II, Dayton
Bryce Hopkins, Providence
Oso Ighodaro, Marquette
Graham Ike, Gonzaga
Keshad Johnson, Arizona
Alex Karaban, Connecticut
Grant Nelson, Alabama
Norchad Omier, Miami
Drew Pember, UNC Asheville
Jevon Porter, Pepperdine
Julian Reese, Maryland
J'Wan Roberts, Houston
Tolu Smith, Mississippi State
Fousseyni Traore, BYU
*Players can play their way onto and off the list at any point in the 2023-24 season
Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, in each of the three rounds, starting Friday, October 27. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2024 Karl Malone Award will be narrowed to 10 and then in late February to just five. In March the five finalists will be presented to Malone and the Hall of Fame's selection committee where a winner will be selected.
The winner of the 2024 Karl Malone Award will be presented on a to be determined date, along with the other four members of the Men's Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Bob Cousy Award (Point Guard), Jerry West Award (Shooting Guard), Julius Erving Award (Small Forward), and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award (Center), in addition to the Women's Starting Five.
Previous winners of the Karl Malone Award are
Trayce Jackson-Davis, Houston (2023),
Keegan Murray, Iowa (2022),
Drew Timme, Gonzaga (2021),
Obi Toppin, Dayton (2020),
Zion Williamson, Duke (2019),
Deandre Ayton, Arizona (2018),
Johnathan Motley, Baylor (2017),
Georges Niang, Iowa State (2016) and
Montrezl Harrell, Louisville (2015).
For more information on the 2024 Karl Malone Award and the latest updates, visit
hoophallawards.com and follow
@hoophall and
#WestAward on Twitter and Instagram.
About Karl Malone
Karl Malone attended Louisiana Tech University due to its close 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 and was listed as one of the league's 75 greatest players in 2021. He also won two Olympic gold medals (1992, 96).
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