SPRINGFIELD, MA – Iona College men’s basketball senior David Laury was named one of sixteen watch list members for the 2015 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award, given 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 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.
“2015 marks the first year the Basketball Hall of Fame will recognize the top players in all positions in men’s college basketball,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “When it comes to power forwards who have had a drastic impact on the game, Karl Malone is at the top of the list. In terms of 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.”
Laury ranks among the NCAA leaders in several statistical categories. He is eighth on the scoring list, averaging 20.5 points per game and 28th in rebounding with 9.4 boards per contest. Laury’s 13 double-doubles ranks No. 14 while his 6.96 defensive rebounds per game is 16th overall. Laury has made 198 field goals this season, four behind the nation’s leader, BYU’s Tyler Haws who has appeared in two more games than the Gael senior in 2014-15.
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).
“I’m grateful to be a part of this prestigious award,” said Karl Malone, a 2010 inductee of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “To be recognized by the Basketball Hall of Fame is an honor and each of the fifteen power forwards on this list is very deserving.”
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 8:00pm EST.
For more information on the 2015 Karl Malone Award, log onto www.HoophallAwards.com.
2015 Karl Malone Award Candidates
- Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, University of Arizona
- Justin Moss, University at Buffalo
- Kevon Looney, UCLA
- Kyle Wiltjer, Gonzaga University
- David Laury, Iona College
- Aaron White, University of Iowa
- Georges Niang, Iowa State University
- Perry Ellis, University of Kansas
- Jordan Mickey, Louisiana State University
- Montrezl Harrell, University of Louisville
- Jake Layman, University of Maryland
- Christian Wood, UNLV
- Seth Tuttle, University of Northern Iowa
- Myles Turner, University of Texas
- Larry Nance Jr., University of Wyoming
- Rico Gathers, Baylor University