Roddy Named To Preseason Karl Malone Watch List

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, October 21, 2021

CONTACT: John A. Martin, Assistant Director of Athletics Communications

(540) 476-1259 | John.A.Martin@colostate.edu

Roddy Named To Preseason Karl Malone Watch List

The junior was recognized as one of 20 players on the first watch list for the nation’s best collegiate power forward.

AWARDS VOTING

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Colorado State David Roddy was named to the Karl Malone Award Watch List, announced today by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. One of 20 named to the initial watch list, this honor recognizes the top power forward in men’s college basketball.

A 2021 First-Team NABC All-District and All-Mountain West selection as well as a 2021-22 preseason All-MW pick, Roddy showed his development in his second year. As a sophomore, he increased both his scoring and rebounding averages, going from 11.4 points and 5.6 rebounds a game last season to a team-bests of 15.9 points and 9.4 rebounds. Those numbers were even higher in MW play at 16.6 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, ranking, fourth and second, respectively, in the league. One of the toughest matchups in the Mountain West, Roddy hit 55.3 percent of his shots from the field, also second in the Mountain West, and ranked 13^th in assists at 2.83 per game. Roddy’s best game was in the 22-point win over Boise State, where he recorded career bests of 27 points and 15 rebounds in the victory. He also was just shy of the program’s first triple-double when he had 12 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists in the March 3 win over New Mexico. He has recorded 10 double-doubles this season, nine of them coming in conference play, with the two against Fresno State and the double-double in the comeback win at SDSU earning him Mountain West Player of the Week honors.

Karl Malone attended Louisiana Tech University due to its close proximity to his hometown of Summerfield, Louisiana. He led the Bulldogs to a Sweet 16 appearance and earned All-Southland honors in his three seasons while averaging 18.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Playing all but one season with the Utah Jazz, Malone achieved great success during his 19 seasons in the NBA as a 14-time NBA All-Star (1988-98, 2000-02), 11-time All-NBA First Team player (1989-99) and a member of the NBA’s 50^th Anniversary All-Time Team. He also won two Olympic gold medals (1992, 1996).

College basketball fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting presented by Dell Technologies in each of the three rounds. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2022 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award will be narrowed to 10 and then in late February to just 5. In March, the five finalists will be presented to Mr. Malone and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee where a winner will be selected.

The winner of the 2022 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 Point Guard Award, Jerry West Shooting Guard Award, the Julius Erving Small Forward Award and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center Award, in addition to the Women’s Starting Five.

For more information on the 2022 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award and the latest updates, log onto www.hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophall and #MaloneAward on Twitter and Instagram. Starting Five Fan Voting presented by Dell Technologies will go live on Friday, October 22.

Fourth-year head coach Niko Medved and the Rams are coming off the program’s 20-8 overall record and a program-best 14-4 conference record in the COVID-shortened season and berth in the NIT Final Four last year. The Rams advanced to their second consecutive postseason invitation, playing in the National Invitation Tournament and advancing to the semifinals with wins over Buffalo and NC State to eventually finish 2-2. The 20 wins marked the first back-to-back 20-win seasons since 2011-12/2012-13 when Medved was an assistant coach on the staff.

Predicted to win the Mountain West in the preseason poll announced yesterday, CSU returns three All-Mountain West players in juniors Isaiah Stevens and Roddy and senior Adam Thistlewood, all five starters, nine letterwinners and more than 90 percent of its scoring, rebounds, assists and minutes from last year’s squad. Following an exhibition with Adams State on Oct. 31, CSU opens the 2021-22 season hosting 2021 NCAA Sweet 16 team Oral Roberts on Nov. 9 at Moby Arena. Tickets and new fan-flexible mini-plans for the 2021-22 men’s and women’s basketball seasons, along with football and volleyball, can be purchased now by contacting the CSU Athletics Ticket Office at 800-491-RAMS (7267), csurams.com/tickets or ramtix@colostate.edu.