October 29, 2026 | Men's Basketball
News
CHAMPAIGN, Ill.– The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced Thursday that Fighting Illini sophomore David Mirkovic is one of 20 watch-list candidates for the 2027 Karl Malone Award.
Named after the Class of 2010 Hall of Famer and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, the Karl Malone Award celebrates its 13th year by recognizing the top power forward in NCAA Division I men's college basketball.
Mirkovic ranked third on the Illini in scoring and second in both rebounding and assists last season, averaging 13.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists while totaling nine double-doubles. Mirkovic was named to the NCAA All-Region Team as Illinois won the South Regional Championship to advance to the 2026 Final Four. He also was voted to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and received NABC All-Great Lakes District Second Team and All-Big Ten Honorable Mention recognition.
This is the latest preseason accolade for Mirkovic following first-team All-America selection by the Associated Press and CBS Sports and second-team All-America by Field of 68. Mirkovic also was named to the preseason All-Big Ten Team and is on the NABC Division I Player of the Year Watch List.
2027 Karl Malone Award Candidates*
Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje, Duke
Alex Condon, Florida
Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, Minnesota
Keanu Dawes, Kansas
Thijs De Ridder, Virginia
Xavier Edmonds, TCU
J.P. Estrella, Michigan
Keyshawn Hall, St. John's
Na'jai Hines, UConn
Braden Huff, Gonzaga
Jaxon Kohler, BYU
David Mirkovic, Illinois
Paulius Murauskas, Arizona State
Miikka Muurinen, Arkansas
Caden Pierce, Purdue
David Punch, Texas
Malik Reneau, Miami
Aiden Sherrell, Indiana
JT Toppin, Texas Tech
Joseph Tuggler, Houston
*Players can play their way onto and off the list at any point in the 2026-27 season.
In partnership with the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), 20 watch-list candidates for the 2027 Katrina McClain Award also were announced, honoring the top power forwards in NCAA Division I women's basketball.
Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting in each of the three rounds starting on Friday, October 30. In February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2027 Karl Malone and Katrina McClain Awards will be narrowed to 10, then to five in March. In late March, the five finalists will be presented to Malone, McClain, and the Hall of Fame's selection committees, where winners will be selected. The Selection Committees for the Karl Malone and Katrina McClain Awards are composed of top men's and women's college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.
The winners of the 2027 Malone and McClain Awards will be presented on a to-be-determined date, along with the other four members of the Men's and Women's Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Bob Cousy and Nancy Lieberman Awards (Point Guard), Jerry West and Ann Meyers Drysdale Awards (Shooting Guard), Julius Erving and Cheryl Miller Awards (Small Forward), and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Lisa Leslie Awards (Center).
Previous winners of the Karl Malone Award include Cameron Boozer, Duke (2026), Johni Broome, Auburn (2025), Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana (2023), Keegan Murray, Iowa (2022), Drew Timme, Gonzaga (2021), Obi Toppin, Dayton (2020), Zion Williamson, Duke (2019), Deandre Ayton, Arizona (2018), Georges Niang, Iowa State (2016), and Montrezl Harrell, Louisville (2015).
Previous winners of the Katrina McClain Award are Sarah Strong, UConn (2026), Aneesah Morrow, LSU (2025), Kiki Iriafen, Stanford (2024), Maddy Siegrist, Villanova (2023), NaLyssa Smith, Baylor (2021-22), Ruthy Hebard, Oregon (2018, '20), and Napheesa Collier, UConn (2019).
For more information on the 2027 Karl Malone and Katrina McClain Awards and the latest updates, visit hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophallu, #MaloneAward, and #McClainAward on X and Instagram.
