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Julian Reese named to Karl Malone Award Preseason Watch List

For the second consecutive season, Maryland men’s basketball forward Julian Reese has been named to the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Watch List. Reese is one of four Big Ten forwards who are featured on the list.

Reese is coming off a season where he nearly averaged a double-double, setting new career-highs with 13.7 points and 9.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. Reese also shot nearly 55% from the field before finishing the season as an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention selection. The Baltimore native made the decision to return to Maryland for his senior season, marking an early yet key offseason win for head coach Kevin Willard as the staff shifted toward finding pieces around him.

All eyes are on Reese and Queen heading into the season as they anchor the frontcourt with Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Selton Miguel and Rodney Rice stepping into the backcourt.

“I think the good thing about Derik and [Julian Reese] is that I think they really learn how to play with each other,” head coach Kevin Willard told the media on Thursday. “I think they complement each other. I think they understand they're both very smart basketball players so they understand the fact that there's times when Ju has a mismatch inside so Derik will be outside. There [are] times when Derik has a mismatch inside so we'll put Ju outside. Doing a lot of different kind of dribble handoffs when those guys are on the perimeter but they've really worked well together and they've passed well, really well so far in the early season.”

More via release:

Fans can support their favorite player by participating in Fan Voting starting Friday, November 1. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2025 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 committees, where winners will be selected. The Selection Committees for the Karl Malone Award are composed of top men's and college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.

Previous winners of the Karl Malone Award are Jaedon LeDee, San Diego State (2024), 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), Johnathan Motley, Baylor (2017), Georges Niang, Iowa State (2016), and Montrezl Harrell, Louisville (2015).

Maryland begins the 2024-25 season on Nov. 4, as the Terps host Manhattan. Season tickets and mini plan options for the season are available now. These can be purchased online at www.umterps.com, by calling the Terrapin Ticket Office at 800-462-TERP, or by emailing for more information at terptix@umd.edu.

Full list:

Grant Nelson-Alabama

Trey Townsend-Arizona

Johni Broome-Auburn

Norchad Omier-Baylor

Ian Schieffelin-Clemson

Graham Ike-Gonzaga

J'Wan Roberts-Houston

Will Riley -Illinois

Malik Reneau-Indiana

Coleman Hawkins-Kansas State

Julian Reese-Maryland