Justyn Mutts makes 2023 Karl Malone Award watch list

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Thursday the 20 watch list members for the 2023 Karl Malone Award, which included Virginia Tech senior Justyn Mutts. Named after Class of 2010 Hall of Famer and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Karl Malone, the annual honor in its ninth year recognizes the top power forwards in Division I men’s college basketball.

Mutts became the second straight Hokie to make the watch list after Keve Aluma did so last season. The versatile forward averaged 10.1 points per game while shooting 53.7% from the floor. Having the reputation of an elite passer, Mutts led the Hokies with 123 assists. He was also Tech’s leading rebounder at 7.4 per game.

Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, in each of the three rounds beginning Friday, Oct. 28. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2023 Karl Malone Award will be narrowed to 10 and then in late February to just five. In March, the five finalists will be presented to Malone and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee where a winner will be selected.

The winner of the 2023 Karl Malone Award will be presented on a to be determined date, along with the other four members of the Men’s Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Bob Cousy Award (point guard), Jerry West Award (shooting guard), the Julius Erving Award (small forward) and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award (center), in addition to the Women’s Starting Five.

Previous winners of the Karl Malone Award include Keegan Murray, Iowa (2022), Drew Timme, Gonzaga (2021), Obi Toppin, Dayton (2020), Zion Williamson, Duke (2019), Deandre Ayton, Arizona (2018), Johnathan Motley, Baylor (2017), Georges Niang, Iowa State (2016) and Montrezl Harrell, Louisville (2015).

For more information on the 2023 Karl Malone Award and the latest updates, log onto www.hoophall.com and follow @hoophall and #MaloneAward on Twitter and Instagram. Starting Five Fan Voting presented by Dell Technologies will go live on Friday, Oct. 28.

2023 Karl Malone Award Watch List*

Enrique Freeman, Akron

Ąžuolas Tubelis, Arizona

Johni Broome, Auburn

Arthur Kaluma, Creighton

DaRon Holmes II, Dayton

Kyle Filipowski, Duke

Jalen Slawson, Furman

Drew Timme, Gonzaga

Jarace Walker, Houston

Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana

Kris Murray, Iowa

KJ Williams, LSU

Donta Scott, Maryland

DeAndre Williams, Memphis

Norchad Omier, Miami (Fla.)

Pete…