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Trio of SEC power forwards land on preseason watchlist for Karl Malone Award
By Ethan Stone
Published:
The Karl Malone Award is given each season to the top power forward in college basketball. On Thursday, the award released its 20-man preseason watchlist for the award less than 2 weeks away from the first game of the season.
Three SEC power forwards cracked the list: Alabama’s Grant Nelson, Arkansas’ Trevon Brazile and Mississippi State’s Tolu Smith.
Smith will miss the first part of the season dealing with an injury but should return for SEC play in January.
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Names 20 Power Forwards to 2024 Karl Malone Award Watch List.#MaloneAward | #HoophallU pic.twitter.com/KaLy73LGTo
— University of Hoophall (@hoophallu) October 26, 2023
Nelson is the only newcomer from the SEC on this list. The former North Dakota State big man stands at 6-11 and is an elite rebounder and a strong option near the basket. He can stretch the floor, but only shoots at around 27% from range on 92 attempts last season. He and Nick Pringle should hold down the Alabama frontcourt to start the season.
Trevon Brazile had an excellent start to last season but was lost for the year prior to SEC play with a torn ACL. He’ll be perhaps Arkansas’ best returning player this season.
As mentioned, Smith will miss a little less than half the season. but he may be the most talented player on this list from the SEC. The Mississippi State forward averaged 15.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. He also finished with 23 blocks on the year.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
