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Miami Hurricanes' Malik Reneau Named to Karl Malone Award Watch List
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- Miami Hurricanes' Malik Reneau Named to Karl Malone Award Watch List
(Melina Myers-Imagn Images)
MIAMI, Fla. – Only three days before the No. 14 Miami Hurricanes tip off the 2026-27 college basketball season against the No. 1 Florida Gators at Tampa (Fla.) and fifth-year forward Malik Reneau was named one of 20 candidates for the Karl Malone Award Watch List, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced Thursday.
It's the highest honor for power forwards in the sport.
Malone is one of the NBA's biggest stars, peaking through the 1990s with the Utah Jazz. He's a 14-time All-Star and All-NBA, four-time All-Defensive selection, two-time MVP, and a member of the 75th-anniversary team. Malone made the NBA Finals three times, most notably in 1997 and 1998 against Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, losing both in six games. The Hall of Famer's league career ended in the 2003-04 season with the Los Angeles Lakers, losing in the Finals against the Detroit Pistons in five games.
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Reneau's return to Coral Gables was sudden, as the college sports world was affected by a ruling from United States District Judge Charlotte Sweeney in Colorado, which granted a class-wide preliminary injunction aligning with the NCAA's new fifth-year eligibility model.
After going undrafted this year and trying out for the Orlando Magic, the 23-year-old received an unexpected second chance to reinvent a future in basketball.
Last season, Reneau was the Hurricanes' go-to offensive option. He averaged 18.9 points on 54 percent shooting, 6.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 steals in 35 games (all starts). Reneau helped first-time head coach Jai Lucas establish a new foundation and standard for basketball in Coral Gables.
However, the All-Atlantic Coast Conference forward will need to adapt this time around.
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As returning sophomores Dante Allen and Shelton Henderson step into expanded roles, plus the additions of eight transfers, two freshmen, and an international signee, Reneau won't get the same touches as last season. He will likely play more off the ball while being assigned to focus more on rebounding.
Reneau did not play in the Hurricanes' 109-96 exhibition win over No. 24 Vanderbilt at the Watsco Center last Friday. He was held out with a lower-back injury, but should be available for the Gators matchup. There's a chance Reneau isn't a starter, given the Hurricanes' revamped depth.
It's a new season, which means a different role for the Miami (Fla.) native upon returning.
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Fans can support Reneau through fan voting beginning Friday, Oct. 30. The 20-player watch list will be narrowed to 10 candidates in February before five finalists are selected in March. The finalists will be presented to Malone and the Hall of Fame's selection committee, which will determine the award winner.
Tip-off for the in-state rivalry is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. E.T. and will be televised on ESPN2.
More Miami Hurricanes News:
- " Could Mississippi State Star Emerge as Miami Hurricanes' Quarterback Portal Target? "
- " Miami Hurricanes' Malachi Toney Reportedly Signs Third N.I.L. Deal This Season "
- " Shannon Dawson on Miami Hurricanes' Girard Pringle Jr. and Lack of Opportunity "
