SPRINGFIELD, MASS. (October 31, 2024) — The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced the 20 watch-list candidates for the 2025 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award and Arizona's Trey Townsend was included on the list. Townsed, a transfer from Oakland, was the 2024 Horizon League Player of the Year and helped Oakland to an upset win over Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
The annual Karl Malone Award, named after the Class of 2010 Hall of Famer and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, celebrates its 11th year by recognizing the top power forwards in Division I men's college basketball.
The Katrina McClain Award, now in its eighth year, recognizes the top power forwards in women's NCAA Division I college basketball. It is named after the two-time All-American, 1987 National Player of the Year, and Class of 2012 Hall of Famer.
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2025 Karl Malone Award Candidates*
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Grant Nelson
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Alabama
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Trey Townsend
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Arizona
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Johni Broome
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Auburn
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Norchad Omier
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Baylor
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Ian Schieffelin
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Clemson
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Graham Ike
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Gonzaga
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J'Wan Roberts
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Houston
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Will Riley
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Illinois
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Malik Reneau
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Indiana
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Coleman Hawkins
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Kansas State
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Julian Reese
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Maryland
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Cade Tyson
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North Carolina
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Caden Pierce
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Princeton
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Bryce Hopkins
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Providence
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JT Toppin
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Texas Tech
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Donnie Freeman
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Syracuse
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Yaxel Lendeborg
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UAB
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Alex Karaban
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UConn
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Eric Dixon
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Villanova
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Great Osobor
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Washington
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*Players can play their way onto and off the list at any point in the 2024-25 season.
Fans can support their favorite player by participating in Fan Voting starting Friday, November 1. In late January, the watch list of 20 players will be narrowed to 10, and then in late February, to just five. The Selection Committees for the Karl Malone Award is composed of top college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.
The winner of the 2025 Malone and Award will be presented on a to-be-determined date, along with the other four members of the Men's and Women's Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Bob Cousy and Nancy Lieberman Awards (Point Guard), Jerry West and Ann Meyers Drysdale Awards (Shooting Guard), Julius Erving and Cheryl Miller Awards (Small Forward), and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Lisa Leslie Awards (Center).
Previous winners of the Karl Malone Award are Jaedon LeDee, San Diego State (2024), Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana (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 2025 Karl Malone and Katrina McClain Awards and the latest updates, visit hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophallu, #MaloneAward, and #McClainAward on X and Instagram.
