Just one day after the Naismith Trophy released Player of the Year watch list, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame released another watch list. This time, it was for Power Forward of the Year. And unlike the POY list, this one included a Clemson player.
Ian Schliefelin was named to the watch list Thursday after an impressive junior season. Schieffelin knocked down 56.4 percent of his shots, including 46.9 from beyond the arch for 10.1 points a game. He was a monster on the defensive end of the floor, too, recording 9.4 rebounds a game 0.5 blocks a game.
Only 20 power forwards in college basketball were lucky enough to make the list. Here is the watch list of candidates for the 2025 Karl Malone Award:
2025 Karl Malone Award Candidate
- Grant Nelson- Alabama
- Trey Townsend- Arizona
- Johni Broome- Auburn
- Norchad Omier- Baylor
- Ian Schieffelin- Clemson
- Graham Ike- Gonzaga
- J'Wan Roberts- Houston
- Will Riley- Illinois
- Malik Reneau- Indiana
- Coleman Hawkins- Kansas State
- Julian Reese- Maryland
- Cade Tyson- North Carolina
- Caden Pierce- Princeton
- Bryce Hopkins- Providence
- JT Toppin- Texas Tech
- Donnie Freeman- Syracuse
- Yaxel Kendeborg- UAB
- Alex Karaban- UCONN
- Eric Dixon- Villanova
- Great Osobor- Washington