LSU's KJ Williams Named To Preseason Karl Malone Award Watch List

by Staff Reporter

October 27, 20220 Comments

Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

LSU fifth-year senior KJ Williams has been named to the 20-player watch list for the 2023 Karl Malone Award by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Per LSUSports.net:

quote:
Named after Class of 2010 Hall of Famer and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Karl Malone, the annual honor in its ninth 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.

“The Basketball Hall of Fame is proud to annually recognize the best power forwards in the collegiate game with the Karl Malone Award, which bears the name of one of the greatest players of all time,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “To be named to the watchlist of the Karl Malone Award is a great honor and I know he values the opportunity to watch these players compete throughout the season. We are honored to have his unique perspective in our evaluation each year.”

Williams has joined first-year LSU head coach Matt McMahon in Baton Rouge after a strong campaign in 2021-22 that saw Murray State win 31 games and Williams named the OVC Player of the Year. Williams averaged 18.0 points, 8.4 rebounds and shot 53.8 percent from the field (245-of-455). He led the OVC in scoring, was second in rebound average and sixth in field goal percentage.

The list of candidates for the 2023 Karl Malone Award:
Enrique Freeman, Akron
Azuolas Tubelis, Arizona
Johni Broome, Auburn
Arthur Kaluma, Creighton
DaRon Holmes II, Dayton
Kyle Filipowski, Duke
Jalen Slawson, Furman
Drew Timme, Gonzaga
Jarace Walker, Houston
Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana
Kris Murray, Iowa
KJ Williams, LSU
Donta Scott, Maryland
DeAndre Williams, Memphis
Norchad Omier, Miami
Pete Nance, North Carolina
GG Jackson, South Carolina
Jayden Gardner, Virginia
Justyn Mutts, Virginia Tech
Graham Ike, Wyoming

*Players can play their way onto and off the list at any point in the 2022-2023 season.

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