Indiana University Athletics
10/29/2026 1:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced the 20 watch-list candidates for the 2027 Karl Malone Award.
The annual Karl Malone Award, named after the Class of 2010 Hall of Famer and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, celebrates its 13th year by recognizing the top power forward in NCAA Division I men's college basketball.
Included in the nominees is third-year forward Aiden Sherrell, a 2024 McDonald's All-American, who averaged 7.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.2 blocks in 16.1 minutes per game in two seasons at Alabama. He compiled three career double-doubles, was on the floor for 53 wins, and advanced to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament twice.
Sherrell enjoyed a breakout second season in Tuscaloosa. He started all 34 games played for the Crimson Tide and averaged 11.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks in 23.9 minutes per game. The Detroit native scored in double figures on 19 occasions, reached the 20-point plateau four times, and posted three double-doubles. He ranked 13th nationally in blocked shots per game (2.2).
The Indiana Hoosiers will open the season at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, Nov. 2, against Eastern Illinois at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
KARL MALONE POWER FORWARD OF THE YEAR AWARD PRESEASON CANDIDATES*
Paulius Murauskas, Arizona State
Miikka Muurinen, Arkansas
Jaxon Kohler, BYU
Joaquim Boumtje-Boumtje, Duke
Alex Condon, Florida
Braden Huff, Gonzaga
Joseph Tugler, Houston
David Mirkovic, Illinois
Aiden Sherrell, Indiana
Keanu Dawes, Kansas
Malik Reneau, Miami
J.P. Estrella, Michigan
Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, Minnesota
Caden Pierce, Purdue
Keyshawn Hall, St. John's
Xavier Edmonds, TCU
David Punch, Texas
JT Toppin, Texas Tech
Na'jai Hines, UConn
Thijs De Ridder, Virginia
*Players can play their way onto and off the list at any point in the 2025-26 season
Fans can support their favorite player by participating in Fan Voting starting Friday, October 30. In February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2027 Karl Malone Award will be narrowed to 10, then to five in March. In late March, the five finalists will be presented to Malone and the Hall of Fame's selection committees, where the winner will be selected. The selection committee for the Karl Malone Award is composed of top men's college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.
The winner of the 2027 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).
Previous winners of the Karl Malone Award include Cameron Boozer, Duke (2026), Johni Broome, Auburn (2025), 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), Georges Niang, Iowa State (2016), and Montrezl Harrell, Louisville (2015).
For more information on the 2027 Karl Malone Award and the latest updates, visit hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophallu, #MaloneAward, and #McClainAward on X and Instagram.
About the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and celebrating the game of basketball at every level—men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches, and contributors worldwide. The Hall of Fame Museum is home to nearly 500 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Welcoming close to 200,000 visitors each year, the museum invites fans to learn about the game, experience interactive exhibits, and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game's elite, the Hall of Fame also operates more than 100 high school and collegiate games annually throughout the country and abroad.
@IndianaMBB
For all the latest on Indiana University men's basketball, be sure to follow the team at @IndianaMBB on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
The annual Karl Malone Award, named after the Class of 2010 Hall of Famer and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, celebrates its 13th year by recognizing the top power forward in NCAA Division I men's college basketball.
Included in the nominees is third-year forward Aiden Sherrell, a 2024 McDonald's All-American, who averaged 7.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.2 blocks in 16.1 minutes per game in two seasons at Alabama. He compiled three career double-doubles, was on the floor for 53 wins, and advanced to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament twice.
Sherrell enjoyed a breakout second season in Tuscaloosa. He started all 34 games played for the Crimson Tide and averaged 11.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks in 23.9 minutes per game. The Detroit native scored in double figures on 19 occasions, reached the 20-point plateau four times, and posted three double-doubles. He ranked 13th nationally in blocked shots per game (2.2).
The Indiana Hoosiers will open the season at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, Nov. 2, against Eastern Illinois at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
KARL MALONE POWER FORWARD OF THE YEAR AWARD PRESEASON CANDIDATES*
Paulius Murauskas, Arizona State
Miikka Muurinen, Arkansas
Jaxon Kohler, BYU
Joaquim Boumtje-Boumtje, Duke
Alex Condon, Florida
Braden Huff, Gonzaga
Joseph Tugler, Houston
David Mirkovic, Illinois
Aiden Sherrell, Indiana
Keanu Dawes, Kansas
Malik Reneau, Miami
J.P. Estrella, Michigan
Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, Minnesota
Caden Pierce, Purdue
Keyshawn Hall, St. John's
Xavier Edmonds, TCU
David Punch, Texas
JT Toppin, Texas Tech
Na'jai Hines, UConn
Thijs De Ridder, Virginia
*Players can play their way onto and off the list at any point in the 2025-26 season
Fans can support their favorite player by participating in Fan Voting starting Friday, October 30. In February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2027 Karl Malone Award will be narrowed to 10, then to five in March. In late March, the five finalists will be presented to Malone and the Hall of Fame's selection committees, where the winner will be selected. The selection committee for the Karl Malone Award is composed of top men's college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.
The winner of the 2027 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).
Previous winners of the Karl Malone Award include Cameron Boozer, Duke (2026), Johni Broome, Auburn (2025), 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), Georges Niang, Iowa State (2016), and Montrezl Harrell, Louisville (2015).
For more information on the 2027 Karl Malone Award and the latest updates, visit hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophallu, #MaloneAward, and #McClainAward on X and Instagram.
About the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and celebrating the game of basketball at every level—men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches, and contributors worldwide. The Hall of Fame Museum is home to nearly 500 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Welcoming close to 200,000 visitors each year, the museum invites fans to learn about the game, experience interactive exhibits, and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game's elite, the Hall of Fame also operates more than 100 high school and collegiate games annually throughout the country and abroad.
@IndianaMBB
For all the latest on Indiana University men's basketball, be sure to follow the team at @IndianaMBB on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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