Tyler Bey finalist for Karl Malone Award

Tyler Bey has been named a finalist for the 2020 Karl Malone Award, given to the best power forward in college basketball. He is one of ten names on that finalist list.

Bey has broken out as a two-way monster during this 2019-20 season. He’s one of the very best defenders in the nation — he was on the 15-player midseason team for Naismith Defender of the Year — who causes havoc with 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks. He also ranks second in the country in defensive rating and 19th in defenive rebounding rate.

Offensively, Bey has turned into the highest scorer on the most efficient offense in the Pac-12. Via dunks, mid-range jumpers and fouls drawn, Bey has scored 13.3 points per game on elite efficiency. He’s also improved his three-point shot and his passing ability, the latter of which was most evident on his game-winning assist to D’Shawn Schwartz to beat Dayton.

The other ten finalists for the Karl Malone Award are Zeke Nnaji (Arizona), Yoeli Childs (BYU), Obi Toppin (Dayton), Killian Tillie (Gonzaga), Jalen Smith (Maryland), Xavier Tillman (Michigan State), Reggie Perry (Mississippi State), John Mooney (Notre Dame) and Hasahn French (Saint Louis). This is Toppin’s award to lose, but Bey could make a run at him if the Buffs win the Pac-12 title.