Courtesy of San Diego State Athletics
SAN DIEGO – The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced the five finalists for the 2024 Karl Malone Award on Thursday afternoon and San Diego State men’s basketball player Jaedon LeDee was among the honorees.
The Karl Malone Award, named after the Class of 2010 Hall of Famer and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, celebrates its 10th year by recognizing the top power forwards in Division I men’s college basketball.
Later this month, the finalists will be presented to Malone and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. The Selection Committee is composed of top men’s college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.
The winner of the 2024 Malone Award will be presented later this season, along with the other four members of the Men’s Starting Five: the Bob Cousy Award (Point Guard), Jerry West Award (Shooting Guard), Julius Erving Award (Small Forward), and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award (Center).
Fans can support LeDee by participating in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, starting Friday, March 8, on hoophallawards.com. The Fan Vote will count as one committee vote during the finalist selection process.
LeDee entered the week leading 21st-ranked San Diego State in points (582) and points per game (20.8). His 582 points rank seventh for the program in a single-season and his 20.8 points per game rank No. 4 in the single-season list. In addition, he tops the squad in minutes as well as offensive, defensive and total rebounds. He is second in steals and blocks.
On a national level, 6-9, 240-pound forward, started the week ranked No. 10 in free throw attempts, No. 13 in free throws, No. 17 in points per game, No. 33 in points, field goals, offensive rebounds and double doubles.
LeDee put the nation on notice in the second week of the season, when in three games, concluding at the Continental Tire Main Event, he averaged 28.7 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.0 steals and added a block. In the three games, he shot 57.1 percent from the floor (28-of-39), including 50.0 percent from the bonus distance (2-of-4) and 84.8 percent from the line (28-of-33). In addition, he dished out seven assists, had six steals and a block.
For his efforts, he was named the Continental Tire Main Event Most Valuable Player, a tournament that featured the Aztecs handing Saint Mary’s a 79-54 drubbing as well as an overtime win against Washington. Following his MVP performance, he was chosen as ESPN National Player of the Week as well as Lute Olson and NCAA March Madness Player of the Week and garnered his first Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week honor.
LeDee has scored in double figures in each of his 29 appearances this year and has totaled 11 double doubles, matching Jalen McDaniels (11 in 2018-19) with the most double-doubles by an Aztec since Jamaal Franklin had 13 in the 2012-13 season.
At the start of the week, LeDee was one of two players in the nation to average at least 20.8 points and 8.4 rebounds while shooting at least 56.0 percent from the floor and the only player in the nation who is averaging at least 20.8 points and 8.4 rebounds while also having hit 14 3-pointers. In addition, he is the second Division I player over the last 10 seasons to score 20+ points on at least 55.0 percent shooting in the first five games of a season, joining Obi Toppin in 2019-20 who did it enroute to the Wooden Award.
A two-time Mountain West Player of the Week, he has been included on the John R. Wooden Award Oscar Robertson Award and Lute Olson Award late season Watch Lists.
San Diego State plays its final home game of the season on Friday night against Boise State. Six seniors, including LeDee, will be honored prior to the game and with a win the Aztecs will secure their first undefeated home slate in its Division I history. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. with the game being broadcast on FS1.
