E.J. Liddell Named Karl Malone Award Finalist
2/3/2022 1:00:58 PM | Men's Basketball
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State junior forward EJ. Liddell has been named one of 10 finalists for the 2022 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award. Named after Class of 2010 Hall of Famer and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Karl Malone, the annual honor in its eighth year recognizes the top power forwards in Division I men’s college basketball.
Liddell has done it all this season for the Buckeyes. He is averaging 19.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 2.8 assists per game. He is the only player in the country this season with averages of 19.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.5 bpg and 2.5 apg and only two players over the last 26 years have averaged those numbers for a full season – Tim Duncan (Wake Forest) in 1996-97 and Jason Thompson (Rider) in 2007-08.
The Belleville, Ill., native has been in double-figures in every game and has posted eight 20-point games this season. He has a streak of 29 consecutive games of 10 or more points dating back to last season. Against Minnesota on Jan. 27, Liddell became the 60th Buckeye to reach the 1,000-point plateau.
Liddell has also been listed on a number of midseason watch lists, including:
- Sporting News Midseason All-America third team
- Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 Watch List
- Lute Olson Midseason Watch List
- College Hoops Today Midseason All-American second team
In late February, the watch list of 10 players for the 2022 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award will be narrowed to 5. In March those finalists will be presented to Mr. Malone and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee where a winner will be selected.
The winner of the 2022 Karl Malone Award will be presented on a to be determined date, along with the other four members of the Men’s Starting Five.
2022 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award Candidates
Azoulas Tubelis Arizona
Jabari Smith Auburn
David Roddy Colorado St.
Paolo Banchero Duke
Chet Holmgren Gonzaga
Trayce Jackson-Davis Indiana
Keegan Murray Iowa
Tari Eason LSU
E.J. Liddell Ohio State
Isaiah Mobley USC
#GoBucks
