Arizona State’s Paulius Murauskas makes preseason watchlist for Karl Malone Award

Arizona State forward Paulius Murauskas has made the preseason watchlist for the 2027 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award.

Murauskas was the sixth-ranked forward in this year’s transfer portal coming from Saint Mary’s and rumored to be considering both Kentucky and Arizona, where he spent his freshman season. But he ultimately chose to follow his head coach, Randy Bennett, to Arizona State.

Last season, Murauskas averaged 18.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists on 48.2% from the field and 33.3% from three. He earned All-WCC First Team honors twice with the Gaels.

Some other notable names on the Karl Malone Award watchlist are Duke’s Joaquim Boumtje-Boumtje, Texas Tech’s J.T. Toppin and Arkansas’ Miikka Muurinen.

The Karl Malone Award was won last year by Duke forward Cam Boozer, who went on to be drafted third overall in the NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies.

No Arizona State player has won the award, which debuted in the 2014-15 season. Arizona big man Deandre Ayton won it in the 2017-18 season.

Arizona State opens its season on Monday at home against East Tennessee State at 8 p.m. MST.

Related

Big 12 men’s basketball preseason media poll predicts Arizona to finish first, ASU 12thASU basketball lands 4-star recruit, local prospect Jakyi MilesReport: Moe Odum enters transfer portal, not allowed to return to ASU due to Big 12 rulesArizona men’s basketball pulls a top-5 ranking in both preseason pollsGraham Rossini talks decision to hire Dave Hakstol as new hockey coach, ASU athleticsArizona basketball picked to win Big 12 in coaches poll, Motiejus Krivas is Preseason Player of the Year