Arizona forward Keshad Johnson was named to the top 10 list of the Karl Malone Award, which was established to honor the top power forward in college basketball.
A grad transfer from San Diego State, Johnson is Arizona's second-leading rebounder (6.3) and fourth-leading scorer 11.8 while also playing a major defensive role for the Wildcats. He has shot 37.3% from 3-point range, 64.2% from two, and hits 77.8% from the free throw line, percentages that are all up from last season.
One of Johnson's former teammates, San Diego State center Jaedon LeDee, is also on the Malone list, along with former Goodyear Millennium High School forward DaRon Holmes of Dayton.Β
Johnson also faced another Malone list player, Duke center Kyle Filipowski, in UA's 78-73 win at Duke on Nov. 10. Filipowski had 25 points and eight rebounds while Johnson had 14 points and eight rebounds, converting a go-ahead three-point play after a foul from Filipowski with 50 seconds left that gave UA a 70-69 lead.
Others named to the Malone list include: Enrique Freeman of Akron, Graham Ike of Gonzaga, Oso Ighodaro of Marquette, Norchad Omier of Miami (Fla.), Alex Karajan of UConn and Great Osobor of Utah State.
