University of Houston Athletics
Forward Jarace Walker Named to Karl Malone Award Watch List
10/27/2022 11:04:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Basketball Hall of Fame AwardsBuy 2022-23 Single-Game Tickets2023-23 Season Ticket Wait ListSupport Houston RiseJoin 50-50 Club
Freshman receives preseason recognition for award presented annually to nation’s top power forward
HOUSTON – Preparing for his collegiate debut, University of Houston freshman forward Jarace Walker earned a place on the Karl Malone Award Watch List, released Thursday.
The New Freedom, Pa., native was only one of three freshmen to make the Watch List, joining Duke's Kyle Filipowski and South Carolina's GG Jackson.
Walker and his Cougar teammates open the season against Northern Colorado at 7 p.m., Nov. 7, inside the Fertitta Center. It will be the first of 18 regular-season home games.
Now in its ninth year, the Karl Malone Award recognizes the top power forward in NCAA Division I Basketball each season. A national committee of top college basketball personnel determined the preseason Watch List of 20 candidates.
Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, in each of the three rounds, starting Friday, October 28.
In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2023 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award will be narrowed to 10 and then in late February to just five. In March the five finalists will be presented to Malone and the Hall of Fame's selection committee where a winner will be selected.
The winner of the 2023 Karl Malone Award will be presented on a to be determined date, along with the other four members of the Men's Starting Five.
For more information on the 2023 Karl Malone Award and the latest updates, fans can visit hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophall and #MaloneAward on Twitter and Instagram.
ABOUT JARACE WALKER
This is the latest preseason accolade for Walker. Earlier this month, he was named the American Athletic Conference Preseason Player of the Year.
He was a unanimous 5-star recruit and 2022 McDonald's All-American before signing with the Cougars. Walker was ranked as the No. 10 player nationally in the ESPN100 and was listed as a No, 1 power forward nationally by ESPN and 247Sports.
He was a member of the USA Nike Hoop Summit Team, which defeated the World Select Team and was named to the Naismith National High School All-America Second Team.
As a senior during the 2021-22 season, Walker averaged 16.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game to lead his IMG Academy team to a 20-4 record.
He became the fifth McDonald's All-American to player with Houston, joining Quentin Grimes (2017-18), Devonta Pollard (2011-12), Alton Ford (1999-00) and Rickie Winslow (1982-83).
KARL MALONE AWARD WATCH LIST
PRESEASON HONORS for the COUGARS
Walker was the latest Cougar to be honored in the preseason. Senior guard Marcus Sasser was named to the Jerry West Award Watch List, presented annually to the nation's top shooting guard and was a Preseason All-American by numerous media organizations.
The Dallas native also was named the American Athletic Conference Preseason Player of the Year and earned a place on the league's First Team.
Junior point guard Jamal Shead was named to the Preseason All-American Athletic Conference Second Team.
ABOUT the HOUSTON COUGARS
Under the leadership of three-time American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year Kelvin Sampson, the Cougars are ranked No. 3 in the AP Preseason Poll. It is the highest the Cougars have been ranked in a preseason poll since 1983-84.
Three starters and seven lettermen return from the Cougars' 2021-22 team, which posted a 32-6 overall record, advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight, swept the American Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles and finished among the nation's Top 10 for the second straight season.
The Cougars have posted seven consecutive 20-win seasons, including a pair of 30-win campaigns, and competed in each of the last four NCAA Tournaments to tie a school record.
BUY 2022-23 TICKETS
Fans may now purchase single-game tickets for the Cougars' 18 regular-season home games inside the Fertitta Center. Supplies are limited, and fans are encouraged to purchase soon before they run out.
To purchase single-game tickets, fans may call the Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours or click here any time.
For the third straight season, the Cougars sold out of their season tickets for home games inside the Fertitta Center.
Fans who were unable to purchase season tickets in 2022-23 are invited to join the team's 2023-24 Wait List as the Cougars prepare to enter the Big 12 Conference. To join the 2023-24 season tickets Wait List, fans can click here.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference.
Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN the 50-50-CLUB
Fans are invited to join the 50-50 Club to support Houston Men's Basketball. 50-50 Club members help fund program necessities and enhance the experience for our student-athletes.
Fans who join the 50-50 Club will receive embroidered Jordan Brand team apparel, invitations to exclusive events, regular updates about the program and much more.
For more information or to sign up, fans may visit uhcougars.com/5050club or click here. To join the 50-50 Club, fans may call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4687).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
The New Freedom, Pa., native was only one of three freshmen to make the Watch List, joining Duke's Kyle Filipowski and South Carolina's GG Jackson.
Walker and his Cougar teammates open the season against Northern Colorado at 7 p.m., Nov. 7, inside the Fertitta Center. It will be the first of 18 regular-season home games.Now in its ninth year, the Karl Malone Award recognizes the top power forward in NCAA Division I Basketball each season. A national committee of top college basketball personnel determined the preseason Watch List of 20 candidates.
Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, in each of the three rounds, starting Friday, October 28.
In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2023 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award will be narrowed to 10 and then in late February to just five. In March the five finalists will be presented to Malone and the Hall of Fame's selection committee where a winner will be selected.
The winner of the 2023 Karl Malone Award will be presented on a to be determined date, along with the other four members of the Men's Starting Five.
For more information on the 2023 Karl Malone Award and the latest updates, fans can visit hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophall and #MaloneAward on Twitter and Instagram.
ABOUT JARACE WALKERThis is the latest preseason accolade for Walker. Earlier this month, he was named the American Athletic Conference Preseason Player of the Year.
He was a unanimous 5-star recruit and 2022 McDonald's All-American before signing with the Cougars. Walker was ranked as the No. 10 player nationally in the ESPN100 and was listed as a No, 1 power forward nationally by ESPN and 247Sports.
He was a member of the USA Nike Hoop Summit Team, which defeated the World Select Team and was named to the Naismith National High School All-America Second Team.
As a senior during the 2021-22 season, Walker averaged 16.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game to lead his IMG Academy team to a 20-4 record.
He became the fifth McDonald's All-American to player with Houston, joining Quentin Grimes (2017-18), Devonta Pollard (2011-12), Alton Ford (1999-00) and Rickie Winslow (1982-83).
KARL MALONE AWARD WATCH LIST
| Player | School |
| Jarace Walker | Houston |
| Enrique Freeman | Akron |
| Azuolas Tubelis | Arizona |
| Johni Broome | Auburn |
| Arthur Kaluma | Creighton |
| DaRon Holmes II | Dayton |
| Kyle Filipowski | Duke |
| Jalen Slawson | Furman |
| Drew Timme | Gonzaga |
| Trayce Jackson-Davis | Indiana |
| Kris Murray | Iowa |
| KJ Williams | LSU |
| Donta Scott | Maryland |
| DeAndre Williams | Memphis |
| Norchad Omier | Miami (Fla.) |
| Pete Nance | North Carolina |
| GG Jackson | South Carolina |
| Jayden Gardner | Virginia |
| Justyn Mutts | Virginia Tech |
| Graham Ike | Wyoming |
PRESEASON HONORS for the COUGARS
Walker was the latest Cougar to be honored in the preseason. Senior guard Marcus Sasser was named to the Jerry West Award Watch List, presented annually to the nation's top shooting guard and was a Preseason All-American by numerous media organizations.
The Dallas native also was named the American Athletic Conference Preseason Player of the Year and earned a place on the league's First Team.
Junior point guard Jamal Shead was named to the Preseason All-American Athletic Conference Second Team.
ABOUT the HOUSTON COUGARS
Under the leadership of three-time American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year Kelvin Sampson, the Cougars are ranked No. 3 in the AP Preseason Poll. It is the highest the Cougars have been ranked in a preseason poll since 1983-84.
Three starters and seven lettermen return from the Cougars' 2021-22 team, which posted a 32-6 overall record, advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight, swept the American Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles and finished among the nation's Top 10 for the second straight season.
The Cougars have posted seven consecutive 20-win seasons, including a pair of 30-win campaigns, and competed in each of the last four NCAA Tournaments to tie a school record.
BUY 2022-23 TICKETS
Fans may now purchase single-game tickets for the Cougars' 18 regular-season home games inside the Fertitta Center. Supplies are limited, and fans are encouraged to purchase soon before they run out.
To purchase single-game tickets, fans may call the Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours or click here any time.
For the third straight season, the Cougars sold out of their season tickets for home games inside the Fertitta Center.
Fans who were unable to purchase season tickets in 2022-23 are invited to join the team's 2023-24 Wait List as the Cougars prepare to enter the Big 12 Conference. To join the 2023-24 season tickets Wait List, fans can click here.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference.
Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN the 50-50-CLUB
Fans are invited to join the 50-50 Club to support Houston Men's Basketball. 50-50 Club members help fund program necessities and enhance the experience for our student-athletes.
Fans who join the 50-50 Club will receive embroidered Jordan Brand team apparel, invitations to exclusive events, regular updates about the program and much more.
For more information or to sign up, fans may visit uhcougars.com/5050club or click here. To join the 50-50 Club, fans may call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4687).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
– UHCougars.com –
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballKINGSTON FLEMINGS – NBA Draft Announcement (April 19, 2026)
Sunday, April 19
CHRIS CENAC Jr. (April 10, 2026)
Tuesday, April 14
COACH KELVIN SAMPSON (April 9, 2026)
Thursday, April 09
PREVIEW – Coach Kelvin Sampson vs. #13/12 (3) Illinois (March 23, 2026)
Tuesday, March 24