AMES, Iowa – Iowa State junior forward Georges Niang has been named a finalist for the 2015 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award. The annual honor is in its inaugural year recognizes the top power forwards in Division I men's college basketball and is presented by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Niang is one of 16 candidates on the list, which is selected by a national committee comprised of top college basketball personnel.

Niang has proven his worth as one of the most versatile big men in college basketball. The Methuen, Massachusetts, native is averaging 14.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists. He is one of just 19 players nationally averaging at least 14 points, five boards and three assists. Since conference play started, Niang has hit 45 percent of his 3-point attempts, which ranks fifth in the Big 12. He is the only non-guard ranked among the league's top 10 3-point shooters in league play.

Niang is one of only 25 players, and the nation's only junior, with 1,300 points, 400 rebounds and 250 assists in their career.

By early March, the current list of 16 finalists for the 2015 Karl Malone Award will be narrowed down to five players. The final five players in contention for the award will be presented to Malone and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. The winner of the 2015 Karl Malone Award will be presented at ESPN's new College Basketball Awards presented by Wendy's from Club Nokia in Los Angeles, California, on Friday, April 10. The show will be televised live on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. (CST).