February 04, 2016

Ellis Named Finalist for Karl Malone Award for Second Straight Season

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Kansas senior Perry Ellis has been named one of 10 finalists for the 2016 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Thursday.

Ellis is a finalist for the second straight year for the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award. A native of Wichita, Kansas, Ellis is averaging 19.0 points and 6.9 rebounds in Big 12 play and 16.5 points and 6.6 rebounds overall. Ellis is the only player in the Big 12 to rank in the top seven in scoring (third) and rebounding (seventh). The 2015 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Ellis has seven games of 20 or more points this season and has pulled down nine or rebounds seven times. A two-time Academic All-Big 12 selection who was all-conference first team as a junior, Ellis is one of 30 Senior CLASS candidates. Ellis ranks in the Big 12 in points (3rd, 16.5), rebounds (7th, 6.6), field goal percentage (9th, .508) and free throw percentage (14th, .752). Ellis currently ranks 20th on KU career scoring list at 1,500 points and 15th on the KU career rebounding list with 752 boards.

The Karl Malone Power Forward Award is in its second year of existence. A national committee comprised of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates in October, which has now been narrowed to the 10 finalists. In March, the list will be narrowed to five. The winners of the honor will be presented at the ESPN College Basketball Awards presented by Wendy’s from Club Nokia in Los Angeles on Friday, April 8, 2016.

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-Lafayette
Henry Ellenson, Marquette
Pascal Siakam, New Mexico State
Brice Johnson, North Carolina
Jameel Warney, Stony Brook

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