Markus Kennedy named to Karl Malone Award Watch List

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (SMU) – SMU senior Markus Kennedy was one of 20 players named to the 2016 Karl Malone Award Watch List, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today. The accolade recognizes the top power forward in Division I men’s college basketball.

Kennedy was the 2015 American Athletic Conference Sixth Man of the Year and Most Outstanding Player of The American Championship. He averaged 11.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 1.1 assists and shot 54.8 percent from the field in 2014-15. SMU went 27-7 last season, winning the AAC regular season and tournament titles en route to reaching the NCAA Tournament. The Mustangs spent nine weeks in the AP and USA Today Top 25, finishing the season No. 18 in the AP and receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches Poll.

Kennedy and the Mustangs are scheduled to face fellow Karl Malone Power Forward Watch List players Kyle Wiltjer of Gonzaga and Shaq Goodwin of Memphis. SMU hosts Gonzaga on Feb. 13 at Moody Coliseum and faces Memphis twice in conference play, on Jan. 30 in Dallas and Feb. 25 in Memphis.

In mid-February, the watch list will be narrowed to the top 10. In March, five finalists will be presented to Mr. Malone and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. The winner will be announced at the ESPN College Basketball Awards on Friday, April 8.

The Mustangs open the season on Nov. 14 as they host non-conference opponent Sam Houston State at 7 p.m. CT.

For more information on the 2016 Karl Malone Award, go to http://www.HoophallAwards.com.

2016 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award Candidates

Rico Gathers, Baylor

Taurean Prince, Baylor

Ivan Rabb, California

Tony Parker, UCLA

Dorian Finney-Smith, Florida

Kyle Wiltjer, Gonzaga

Georges Niang, Iowa State

Perry Ellis, Kansas

Shawn Long, Louisiana-Lafayette

Henry Ellenson, Marquette

Shaq Goodwin, Memphis

Brice Johnson, North Carolina

Beejay Anya, North Carolina State

Ryan Spangler, Oklahoma

Caleb Swanigan, Purdue

Markus Kennedy, SMU

Jameel Warney, Stony Brook

Jordan Loveridge, Utah

Alec Peters, Valporasio

Anton Grady, Wichita State