Yoeli Childs Named Top Candidate For Karl Malone Award
Feb 6, 2020, 11:29 AM | Updated: 1:58 pm
BYU Cougars forward Yoeli Childs (23) works on Saint Mary's forward Kyle Bowen (14) as BYU and Saint Mary’s play in an NCAA basketball game in Provo at the Marriott Center on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020. BYU won 81-79. (Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)
(Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – Despite missing 13 of BYU’s 24 games this season, forward Yoeli Childs was named on Thursday as a candidate for the Karl Malone Award, which is presented by the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Childs was one of 10 players named to the list that is given to college basketball’s best power forward. This is the sixth season the award named after Utah Jazz legend has been running in college hoops.
Top 10 #MaloneAward candidates from @Hoophall! 👀
Zeke Nnaji
Yoeli Childs
Tyler Bey
Obi Toppin
Killian Tillie
Jalen Smith
Xavier Tillman
Reggie Perry
John Mooney
Hasahn FrenchWho do you think is the top PF in the country? pic.twitter.com/l2nscBG2WJ
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) February 6, 2020
“The young men in this top ten list should be extremely proud and motivated as they continue their efforts this season,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “Karl Malone was an exemplary player who brought his best every game and we have been pleased to see a similar effort from these student-athletes. It’s a joy to see the passion Mr. Malone has for selecting the athletes who win this esteemed annual award.”
Even though he’s missed more than half of BYU’s season, Childs warrants being in the top 10. In 11 games, Childs is averaging 21 points and 9 rebounds per game and is shooting 61 percent from the field and 56 percent from three-point range.
#BYU's Yoeli Childs is a top 10 candidate for the 2020 Karl Malone Award which is given to the best Power Forward in college basketball. #BYUhoops @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) February 6, 2020
Previous winners of the Karl Malone Award include current Jazzman Georges Niang who was a star at Iowa State and then the last two No. 1 picks in the NBA Draft in DeAndre Ayton (Arizona) and Zion Williamson (Duke).
The other nine players listed as candidates for this year’s Malone Award include Obi Toppin from Dayton and fellow West Coast Conference player Killian Tillie from Gonzaga.
2020 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award Candidates
Zeke Nnaji, Arizona
Yoeli Childs, BYU
Tyler Bey, Colorado
Obi Toppin, Dayton
Killian Tillie, Gonzaga
Jalen Smith, Maryland
Xavier Tillman, Michigan State
Reggie Perry, Mississippi State
John Mooney, Notre Dame
Hasahn French, Saint Louis
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
