Michigan State University Athletics
Xavier Tillman Named Finalist for Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year
2/6/2020 1:57:00 PM | Men's Basketball
East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State junior forward Xavier Tillman (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) was named one of 10 candidates for the 2020 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Thursday.
Named after Class of 2010 Hall of Famer and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Karl Malone, the annual honor in its sixth year recognizes the top power forwards in Division I men's college basketball. A national committee of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates in October, which has now been narrowed to just 10.
Tillman is second on Michigan State in scoring with 13.3 points per game and leads the team, and ranks second in the Big Ten Conference, with 10.1 rebounds per game. Tillman is also second on the team with 3.2 assists (11th in the Big Ten) and leads the team with 2.2 blocks (fourth in the Big Ten).
Tillman is the only Division I player averaging at least 13.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 blocked shots per game. In addition, he is one of only three Division I players since 1992-93 to post those averages, joining former Wake Forest center Tim Duncan (1996-97) and Houston forward Bo Outlaw (1992-93).
Karl Malone attended Louisiana Tech University due to its close proximity to his hometown of Summerfield, Louisiana. He led the Bulldogs to a Sweet 16 appearance and earned All-Southland honors in his three seasons while averaging 18.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Malone achieved great success during his 19 seasons in the NBA as a 14-time NBA All-Star (1988-98, 2000-02), 11-time All-NBA First Team player (1989-99) and a member of the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team. He also won two Olympic gold medals (1992, 1996).
Starting Five Fan Voting Presented by Dell Technologies will go live Friday, February 7 via hoophallawards.com. In March, five finalists will be presented to Mr. Malone and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. The winner of the 2020 Karl Malone Award will be presented at The College Basketball Awards presented by Wendy's in Los Angeles, CA on Friday, April 10, 2020, along with the other four members of the Men's Starting Five.
Michigan State hits the road this weekend, playing at in-state rival Michigan on Saturday, Feb. 8. Tipoff at the Crisler Center Center is slated for noon on FOX, with Gus Johnson, Jim Jackson and Lisa Byington calling all of the action.
Named after Class of 2010 Hall of Famer and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Karl Malone, the annual honor in its sixth year recognizes the top power forwards in Division I men's college basketball. A national committee of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates in October, which has now been narrowed to just 10.
Tillman is second on Michigan State in scoring with 13.3 points per game and leads the team, and ranks second in the Big Ten Conference, with 10.1 rebounds per game. Tillman is also second on the team with 3.2 assists (11th in the Big Ten) and leads the team with 2.2 blocks (fourth in the Big Ten).
Tillman is the only Division I player averaging at least 13.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 blocked shots per game. In addition, he is one of only three Division I players since 1992-93 to post those averages, joining former Wake Forest center Tim Duncan (1996-97) and Houston forward Bo Outlaw (1992-93).
Karl Malone attended Louisiana Tech University due to its close proximity to his hometown of Summerfield, Louisiana. He led the Bulldogs to a Sweet 16 appearance and earned All-Southland honors in his three seasons while averaging 18.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Malone achieved great success during his 19 seasons in the NBA as a 14-time NBA All-Star (1988-98, 2000-02), 11-time All-NBA First Team player (1989-99) and a member of the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team. He also won two Olympic gold medals (1992, 1996).
Starting Five Fan Voting Presented by Dell Technologies will go live Friday, February 7 via hoophallawards.com. In March, five finalists will be presented to Mr. Malone and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. The winner of the 2020 Karl Malone Award will be presented at The College Basketball Awards presented by Wendy's in Los Angeles, CA on Friday, April 10, 2020, along with the other four members of the Men's Starting Five.
Michigan State hits the road this weekend, playing at in-state rival Michigan on Saturday, Feb. 8. Tipoff at the Crisler Center Center is slated for noon on FOX, with Gus Johnson, Jim Jackson and Lisa Byington calling all of the action.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballTom Izzo | Men's Basketball Press Conference | Mar. 23 2026
Monday, March 23
#3 Michigan State vs #6 Louisville | Cinematic Highlights | NCAA Round of 32
Monday, March 23
Tom Izzo | Men's Basketball Press Conference | Mar. 16 2026
Monday, March 16
Tom Izzo | Men's Basketball Press Conference | Mar. 15 2026
Sunday, March 15