Ellis Named to 2015 Karl Malone Power Forward Watch List
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Kansas junior Perry Ellis has been named one of 16 student-athletes to the watch list for the 2015 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Feb. 17.
Named after Hall of Famer and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Karl Malone, the annual honor in its inaugural 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 16 candidates.
A two-time Big 12 Player of the Week in 2014-15, Ellis currently leads Kansas in scoring at 13.3 points per game, which is seventh in the Big 12, and rebounding at 6.9 boards per outing, which is fourth in the league. The Wichita, Kansas, forward is the only player in the Big 12 to rank in the top seven in both statistics and he is fourth in the conference with six double-doubles this season. Additionally, Ellis was the most valuable player at the 2014 Orlando Classic last Thanksgiving weekend in leading Kansas to the tournament title.
By early March, the current list of 16 finalists for the 2015 Karl Malone Award will be narrowed down to five players. The final five players in contention for the award will be presented to Mr. Malone and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. The winner of the 2015 Karl Malone Award will be presented at ESPN’s new College Basketball Awards presented by Wendy’s from Club Nokia in Los Angeles, CA on Friday, April 10, 2015. The Awards will be televised live on ESPN2 at 8 p.m. EST.
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. He also won two Olympic gold medals (1992, 1996).
For more information on the 2015 Karl Malone Award, log onto www.HoophallAwards.com.
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