SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Maryland men's basketball sophomore Jalen Smith has been named one of 10 candidates for the 2020 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award, as announced today by the Basketball Hall of Fame.

In March, five finalists will be presented to Malone and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. The winner of the award will be presented at the College Basketball Awards presented by Wendy's in Los Angeles, Calif., on April 10.

Smith has pieced together an All-American season to this point, averaging 15.2 points and 10.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks.

The Baltimore native has been even better in Big Ten play, widely regarded as the toughest conference in the country. Through 11 Big Ten games, Smith is averaging 17.4 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.6 blocks, while shooting 51-percent from 3 and 58-percent overall.

Smith has totaled 13 double-doubles in 22 games overall, a mark that is tied for the Big Ten lead and ranks sixth nationally. He is currently riding a streak of five straight double-doubles.

Over his last five games, Smith is averaging 20.3 points (.592 FG), 11.7 rebounds and 3.0 blocks.

Smith and the Terrapins return to action Friday evening as they face No. 20 Illinois in Champaign. The winner will claim sole possession of first place in the Big Ten Conference standings.

Previous winners of the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award include 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 2020 Karl Malone Award and the latest updates, log onto www.hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophall and #MaloneAward on Twitter and Instagram.
 
2020 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award Candidates* 

Zeke Nnaji	Arizona
Yoeli Childs	BYU
Tyler Bey	Colorado
Obi Toppin	Dayton
Killian Tillie	Gonzaga
Jalen Smith	Maryland
Xavier Tillman	Michigan State
Reggie Perry	Mississippi State
John Mooney	Notre Dame
Hasahn French	Saint Louis

 
*Players can play their way onto and off of the list at any point in the 2019-20 season*
 
About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and celebrating the game of basketball at every level – men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches and contributors, both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 400 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game's elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum and events, visit www.hoophall.com, follow @hoophall or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.
 
Basketball Hall of Fame Media Contact
Nicole Taylor, Position Sports // mediarelations@positionsports.com