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University of Houston Athletics
J’Wan Roberts Named to Karl Malone Award Preseason Watch List
10/25/2023 2:28:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Senior forward joins 20 national candidates selected for preseason honor
HOUSTON – Entering his fifth season with the Cougars, University of Houston senior J'Wan Roberts was honored as one of 20 candidates nationally to be named to the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Preseason Watch List, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced Tuesday.
A national committee of top college basketball personnel determined the Karl Malone Award Preseason Watch List.
Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, in each of the three rounds starting on Friday. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2024 Karl Malone 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 2024 Karl Malone Award will be presented on a to-be-determined date, along with the other four members of the Men's Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Bob Cousy Award (Point Guard), Jerry West Award (Shooting Guard), Julius Erving Award (Small Forward) and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award (Center), in addition to the Women's Starting Five.
Earlier this week, Houston senior point guard Jamal Shead was named to the Bob Cousy Award Preseason Watch List while senior guard LJ Cryer earned a place on the Jerry West Shooting Award Preseason Watch List.
In 2022-23, Consensus First-Team All-American guard Marcus Sasser received the Jerry West Award, becoming the first Cougar in program history to receive that honor.
ABOUT J'WAN ROBERTS
Roberts will be a leader in the Houston frontcourt during the 2023-24 season as the Cougars prepare for their first season in the Big 12 Conference.
In 2022-23, he more than doubled his scoring output to 10.0 points per game and raised his rebounding average by more than 50 percent to a team-high 7.7 rebounds per contest. He led the Cougars and ranked third in the American Athletic Conference with a 61.3 field goal percentage and was tied for fourth in the league with seven double-doubles.
Helping lead the Cougars to the American Athletic Conference regular-season championship with a 17-1 record and a berth in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 for the four straight year – a first in program history – Roberts was named the league's Most Improved Player of the Year.
The St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, native also was named to the All-American Athletic Conference Second Team and earned a place on the league's All-Tournament Team after grabbing a career-high 20 rebounds against Memphis in the Title Game.
As a junior in 2021-22, he competed in all 38 games to set a school single-season record as the Cougars advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.
2023-24 KARL MALONE AWARD PRESEASON WATCH LIST
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 as we begin Big 12 competition. 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.
A national committee of top college basketball personnel determined the Karl Malone Award Preseason Watch List.
Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, in each of the three rounds starting on Friday. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2024 Karl Malone 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 2024 Karl Malone Award will be presented on a to-be-determined date, along with the other four members of the Men's Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Bob Cousy Award (Point Guard), Jerry West Award (Shooting Guard), Julius Erving Award (Small Forward) and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award (Center), in addition to the Women's Starting Five.
Earlier this week, Houston senior point guard Jamal Shead was named to the Bob Cousy Award Preseason Watch List while senior guard LJ Cryer earned a place on the Jerry West Shooting Award Preseason Watch List.
In 2022-23, Consensus First-Team All-American guard Marcus Sasser received the Jerry West Award, becoming the first Cougar in program history to receive that honor.
ABOUT J'WAN ROBERTS
Roberts will be a leader in the Houston frontcourt during the 2023-24 season as the Cougars prepare for their first season in the Big 12 Conference.
In 2022-23, he more than doubled his scoring output to 10.0 points per game and raised his rebounding average by more than 50 percent to a team-high 7.7 rebounds per contest. He led the Cougars and ranked third in the American Athletic Conference with a 61.3 field goal percentage and was tied for fourth in the league with seven double-doubles.
Helping lead the Cougars to the American Athletic Conference regular-season championship with a 17-1 record and a berth in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 for the four straight year – a first in program history – Roberts was named the league's Most Improved Player of the Year.
The St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, native also was named to the All-American Athletic Conference Second Team and earned a place on the league's All-Tournament Team after grabbing a career-high 20 rebounds against Memphis in the Title Game.
As a junior in 2021-22, he competed in all 38 games to set a school single-season record as the Cougars advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.
2023-24 KARL MALONE AWARD PRESEASON WATCH LIST
| Name | School |
| J'Wan Roberts | Houston |
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 as we begin Big 12 competition. 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 –
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