Watch list announced for 2021-2022 Karl Malone Award

Karl Malone is one of the most dominant power forwards to ever play the game of basketball. Every year, the Karl Malone Award is given to the top power forward in college basketball. The watch list for the 2021-2022 season has officially been revealed, via Adam Zagoria.

This year’s Karl Malone Award finalists

Azuolas Tubelis, Arizona

Jabari Smith, Auburn

David Roddy, Colorado State

Paolo Banchero, Duke

Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga

Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana

Keegan Murray, Iowa

Tari Eason, LSU

EJ Liddell, Ohio State

Isaiah Mobley, USC

The award’s watch list is star-studded

Azuolas Tubelis has played in 19 games for Arizona this season, averaging 14.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 0.9 blocks per game. The Wildcats are one of the best teams in the nation, and Tubelis has played a big role in that. For Auburn, Jabari Smith has enjoyed a monster freshman season, one that has him in serious consideration for the Karl Malone Award. Smith has played in 22 games, averaging 15.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.3 steals.

Colorado State has been a fun team to follow this year, and David Roddy has enjoyed a breakout season. In 19 games, he is averaging 18.6 points with 7.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.0 blocks. Roddy is enjoying a breakout offensive year with career-highs in scoring and shooting percentages. Trayce Jackson-Davis is a three-year contributor for Indiana, and he is again having a great year. On the season, he is averaging 18.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 2.7 blocks.

In addition to Smith, Duke’s Paolo Banchero and Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren have enjoyed dominant starts to their collegiate careers. Banchero is averaging 17.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists as the key cog in Duke’s attack. Holmgren is putting up 14.4 points with 8.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and an impressive 3.3 blocks. The two went head to head earlier in the year, with Duke coming away with a three-point victory.

Perhaps one of the most under the radar contenders for the Karl Malone Award, Keegan Murray has had a monster season for Iowa. He is averaging 22.3 points to go along with 8.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks. EJ Liddell has also had a great season for Ohio State, averaging 19.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.7 blocks.

Isaiah Mobley is in his third season at USC, and he is enjoying his best year yet. In 22 starts with the Trojans, Mobley is posting 14.7 points with 8.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists. After playing one season at Cincinnati, Tari Eason is also enjoying success as LSU’s top option off the bench. Despite starting just three of LSU’s 21 games, Eason is averaging 15.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.0 block, and 1.7 steals.