Yoeli Childs Named Finalist For Karl Malone Award

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – BYU senior Yoeli Childs was passed up for WCC Player of the Year but he still has a chance to earn some hardware in his final year as a Cougar. Childs was one of five players named as a finalist for the Karl Malone Award that is given to the best Power Forward in College Basketball by The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

Yoeli Childs has been named one of the five finalists for the Karl Malone Award. Given to the best Power Forward in CBB.

Obi Toppin (Dayton), Killian Tillie (Gonzaga), Jalen Smith (Maryland) and Reggie Perry (Mississippi State) are the other four finalists. #BYU @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 5, 2020

“We’re happy to recognize these elite power forwards as finalists for this tremendous award,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “Combined with our fan voting component, our committee, and Mr. Malone will be watching to determine who will take home this prestigious award this season. We’re looking forward to some really great performances when it matters most.”

Will Yoeli Childs win the award named after a Jazz legend?

Later this month Childs and the four other candidates will be presented to Malone and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee to determine who will be the winner. This is the sixth season of the Malone Award which pays tribute to the former Jazz great.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed watching these young men compete this season, as leaders on the court and in the locker room,” said Karl Malone. “Working alongside the committee in choosing a winner has been a great joy, and we look forward to watching as these players compete in the coming weeks.”

#MaloneAward Finalists from @Hoophall!

Yoeli Childs
Obi Toppin
Killian Tillie
Jalen Smith
Reggie Perry

Who is the PF of the year? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/ssbblQqaAM

— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 5, 2020

Previous winners of the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award include the last two No. 1 NBA Draft picks in Zion Williamson, Duke (2019) and Deandre Ayton, Arizona (2018). Other winners include Johnathan Motley, Baylor (2017), Utah Jazz man Georges Niang, Iowa State (2016) and Montrezl Harrell, Louisville (2015).

Childs’ 22.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists have helped lead BYU to a 23-7 record and second-place finish in the West Coast Conference this season.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.