Long Named Finalist For Karl Malone Award

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns men's basketball player Shawn Long was named on Thursday as one of 10 watch list finalists for the 2016 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award in an announcement by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Named after Hall of Famer and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Karl Malone, the annual honor in its second 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 20 candidates in October, which has now been narrowed to 10.

Long, the all-time leading rebounder in both Ragin' Cajuns basketball and Sun Belt Conference history, is averaging 19.4 points and 13.0 rebounds for Louisiana. The 6-foot-11 senior has recorded 15 double-doubles on the season and is the NCAA active leader in both career double-doubles (67) and rebounds (1,296).

The Morgan City, La., native has recorded seven games this season for the Ragin' Cajuns with at least 20 points and 15 rebounds, including season-highs in scoring (28 points vs. ULM) and rebounds (18 at Georgia State). Long, who is second in the Sun Belt Conference in scoring and leads the league in both rebounds and blocked shots, started off his senior season as a member of the U.S. Men's Pan American team that earned a bronze medal at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto.

"In terms of power forwards who have had a significant impact on the game of basketball, Karl Malone is at the top of the list," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. "When it comes to consistent play, 'The Mailman' always delivered and we are delighted to include him in this recognition of the best power forwards in the game today."

Karl Malone attended Louisiana Tech University due to its close proximity to his hometown of Summerfield, La. He led the Bulldogs to a Sweet 16 appearance and earned All-Southland Conference 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) and is a 2010 inductee of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

In March, five finalists will be presented to Malone and the Hall of Fame's selection committee for the 2016 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award. The winner of the 2016 Karl Malone Award will be presented at the ESPN College Basketball Awards presented by Wendy's from Club Nokia in Los Angeles, Calif., on Friday, April 8, 2016. Broadcast information will be released at a later date.

Last season, Montrezl Harrell of Louisville was named the inaugural winner of the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award. For more information on the 2016 Karl Malone Award, log onto www.HoophallAwards.com.

2016 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award Finalists
Ryan Anderson, Arizona
Taurean Prince, Baylor
Kyle Wiltjer, Gonzaga
Georges Niang, Iowa State
Perry Ellis, Kansas
Shawn Long, Louisiana
Henry Ellenson, Marquette
Pascal Siakam, New Mexico State
Brice Johnson, North Carolina
Jameel Warney, Stony Brook

Long Named Finalist For Karl Malone Award

Players Mentioned

Shawn Long

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