Killian Tillie Named Finalist for Karl Malone Award

Gonzaga Bulldogs senior forward Killian Tillie is one of five finalists for the 2020 Karl Malone Award, which is given to the top power forward in college basketball each year. He joins Corey Kispert, who yesterday received the Julius Erving Finalist nod, for end of season awards.

Tillie will be competing with Yoeli Childs of BYU, Obi Topping of Dayton, Jalen Smith of Maryland, and Reggie Perry of Mississippi State for the honors.

It is a huge honor for Tillie, considering that he has missed nine games this season due to various injuries. However, when he is on the court, it is impossible to deny that he does not belong in the upper echelon of power forwards in the country.

Tillie is averaging 13.6 points per game and is shooting 41 percent from three-point range. He leads the Zags in overall box plus/minus, and is the team leader in offensive box plus/minus.

As good as Tillie is, it’ll be hard competition. Childs has been amazing at BYU and Topping is constantly in Player of the Year chatter, let alone restricted to a specific position. Either way, congrats to the Gonzaga senior!