SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today the 20 watch list members for the 2021 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award. Among the 20 candidates was Clemson University men’s basketball senior Aamir Simms (Palmyra, Va./Blue Ridge School).
A 6-8.5, 245-pound native of Palmyra, Va., Simms averaged 13.0 points and 7.2 rebounds per game last year, while leading the Tigers in points, rebounds, assists (78) and blocks (23). Simms put together an All-ACC season and garnered Third-Team All-ACC recognition.
He notched six 20-point games in 2019-20, while shooting a career-best 47.4 percent from the floor and a career-high 40.0 percent from 3-point range. Simms earned ACC Player of the Week for his performance at North Carolina, leading the Tigers with 20 points, eight rebounds, six assists, four blocks and three steals to help Clemson end its winless streak in Chapel Hill.
“The Basketball Hall of Fame is proud to annually acknowledge the best in the collegiate game with positional awards bearing the names of some of the greatest Hall of Famers of all time,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “To be named to the watchlist of the Naismith Starting Five is a great honor and I know our Hall of Famers sincerely enjoy the opportunity to watch these players compete. We thank Mr. Malone for his unwavering support over the years and the unique perspective he brings to ultimately selecting a winner.”
Named after Hall of Famer and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Karl Malone, the annual honor in its seventh year recognizes the top power forwards in Division I men’s college basketball. A national committee comprised of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates.
College basketball fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting presented by Dell Technologies in each of the three rounds. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2021 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award will be narrowed to just 10. In late February, five finalists will be presented to Malone and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee.
The winner of the 2021 Karl Malone Award will be presented on Friday, April 9, 2021, along with the other four members of the Men’s Starting Five. Additional awards presented include the Bob Cousy Point Guard Award, the Jerry West Shooting Guard Award, the Julius Erving Small Forward Award and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center Award, in addition to the Women’s Starting Five.
Previous winners of the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award include 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).
2021 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Candidates
Mark Vital Baylor
Aamir Simms Clemson
Matthew Hurt Duke
Drew Timme Gonzaga
Trayce Jackson-Davis Indiana
Isaiah Jackson Kentucky
Trendon Watford LSU
Tre Mitchell Massachusetts
Garrison Brooks North Carolina
Seth Towns Ohio State
Brady Manek Oklahoma
Hasahn French Saint Louis
Sandro Mamukelashvili Seton Hall
Oscar da Silva Stanford
John Fulkerson Tennessee
Greg Brown Texas
Kevin Marfo Texas A&M
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl Villanova
Oscar Tshiebwe West Virginia
Nate Reuvers Wisconsin
Aamir Simms is maybe the most underrated player returning to CBB this year. Nobody talks about him, but he’s super fun and legit good. https://t.co/LjvQcG99Xw— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) November 3, 2020
Aamir Simms is maybe the most underrated player returning to CBB this year. Nobody talks about him, but he’s super fun and legit good. https://t.co/LjvQcG99Xw
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) November 3, 2020
Every time I remember Aamir Simms came back for another season I get more excited for basketball to start.— Caroline Darney (@cwdarney) November 3, 2020
Every time I remember Aamir Simms came back for another season I get more excited for basketball to start.
— Caroline Darney (@cwdarney) November 3, 2020
