Hayes named candidate for 2017 Karl Malone Award
October 20, 2016 | Men's Basketball
Senior on watch list for award given to nation’s top power forward
MADISON, Wis. — Already tabbed as the 2016-17 Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year, senior forward Nigel Hayes was also named to the watch list for the 2017 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award, as announced by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Thursday.
Hayes enters his final campaign with the Badgers having already established himself as one of the most accomplished players in program history. A consensus first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2016, Hayes prides himself on being a versatile player, which is evident when considering that he joined UW great Michael Finley as the only Badgers in program history to tally at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 200 assists by their junior season.
Wisconsin's leading scorer last season, Hayes was one of only three Big Ten players to average at least 15.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. He has played in 113 career games, including 75 starts.
The list of career accolades continues to grow for Hayes, which also includes 2016 US Basketball Writers Association All-District, 2015 third team All-Big Ten, 2014 Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year and 2014 Big Ten All-Freshman Team. The Toledo, Ohio, native is also a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree (2015, '16).
By mid-February, the watch list of 20 players for the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award will be narrowed to just 10. In March, five finalists will be presented to Mr. Malone and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. The winner of the 2017 Karl Malone Award will be presented at the ESPN College Basketball Awards in Los Angeles, California, on Friday, April 7, 2017. Broadcast information will be released at a later date.
Previous winners of the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award include Georges Niang, Iowa State (2016) and Montrezl Harrell, Louisville (2015).
2017 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award Candidates
Lauri Markkanen – Arizona
Ivan Rabb – California
Amile Jefferson – Duke
Jonathan Isaac – Florida St.
Yante Maten – Georgia
Carlton Bragg Jr. – Kansas
Robert Carter – Maryland
Dedric Lawson – Memphis
Miles Bridges – Michigan St.
Isaiah Hicks – North Carolina
Bonzie Colson – Notre Dame
Michael Young – Pittsburg
Caleb Swanigan – Purdue
Tyler Lydon – Syracuse
TJ Leaf – UCLA
Bennie Boatwright – USC
Alec Peters – Valparaiso
Kris Jenkins – Villanova
Austin Nichols – Virginia
Nigel Hayes – Wisconsin
*Players can play their way onto and off of the list at any point in the 2016-17 season
Hayes enters his final campaign with the Badgers having already established himself as one of the most accomplished players in program history. A consensus first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2016, Hayes prides himself on being a versatile player, which is evident when considering that he joined UW great Michael Finley as the only Badgers in program history to tally at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 200 assists by their junior season.
Wisconsin's leading scorer last season, Hayes was one of only three Big Ten players to average at least 15.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. He has played in 113 career games, including 75 starts.
The list of career accolades continues to grow for Hayes, which also includes 2016 US Basketball Writers Association All-District, 2015 third team All-Big Ten, 2014 Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year and 2014 Big Ten All-Freshman Team. The Toledo, Ohio, native is also a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree (2015, '16).
By mid-February, the watch list of 20 players for the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award will be narrowed to just 10. In March, five finalists will be presented to Mr. Malone and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. The winner of the 2017 Karl Malone Award will be presented at the ESPN College Basketball Awards in Los Angeles, California, on Friday, April 7, 2017. Broadcast information will be released at a later date.
Previous winners of the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award include Georges Niang, Iowa State (2016) and Montrezl Harrell, Louisville (2015).
2017 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award Candidates
Lauri Markkanen – Arizona
Ivan Rabb – California
Amile Jefferson – Duke
Jonathan Isaac – Florida St.
Yante Maten – Georgia
Carlton Bragg Jr. – Kansas
Robert Carter – Maryland
Dedric Lawson – Memphis
Miles Bridges – Michigan St.
Isaiah Hicks – North Carolina
Bonzie Colson – Notre Dame
Michael Young – Pittsburg
Caleb Swanigan – Purdue
Tyler Lydon – Syracuse
TJ Leaf – UCLA
Bennie Boatwright – USC
Alec Peters – Valparaiso
Kris Jenkins – Villanova
Austin Nichols – Virginia
Nigel Hayes – Wisconsin
*Players can play their way onto and off of the list at any point in the 2016-17 season
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballPostgame Media Conference vs UW-Platteville || Wisconsin Basketball || Oct. 29, 2025
Wednesday, October 29
Wisconsin Men's Basketball || All Access || Episode 2
Friday, October 24
Wisconsin Men's Basketball || All Access || Greg Gard Mic'd Up
Tuesday, October 21
Wisconsin Men's Basketball || All Access || Episode 1
Thursday, October 16
