SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – University of Miami men's basketball fifth-year forward Malik Reneau was named one of 20 candidates for the 2027 Karl Malone Award Watch List, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced Thursday.

Now in its 13th year, the annual Karl Malone Award recognizes the top power forward in NCAA Division I men's basketball. The award is named after the Class of 2010 Hall of Famer and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player.

Reneau returns for his second season with the Hurricanes following a standout 2025-26 campaign in which he earned All-ACC First Team and NABC All-Southeast District First Team honors. The Miami native started all 35 games and led the Hurricanes in scoring with 18.9 points per game while adding 6.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest. He shot 54 percent from the floor and 78.8 percent from the free-throw line.

The 6-foot-9 forward scored at least 20 points in 18 contests and registered nine double-doubles, including six with 20 or more points. He recorded a season-high 28 points in a victory over Pitt and added 23 points and a season-high 12 rebounds in a win at Florida State.

Earlier this month, Reneau earned Preseason All-ACC Second Team honors as Miami was picked to finish fourth in the conference's preseason poll. He is one of three returning starters for a Hurricanes squad that enters the 2026-27 campaign ranked No. 14 in the Associated Press Preseason Poll and No. 17 in the USA Today Preseason Coaches Poll.

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.

Reneau and the Hurricanes open the 2026-27 regular season versus No. 1 Florida on Monday in Tampa, Fla.

For more information on the Karl Malone Award, visit HoophallAwards.com.