UNC stars Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar have been named to the 10-man midseason watch lists for the Karl Malone and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Awards. The Malone Award honors the top power forward in men’s college basketball, while the Abdul-Jabbar Award goes to the best center.

Wilson and Veesaar have been UNC’s most productive players this season, with Wilson’s 20.0 points and 9.8 rebounds per game both leading the team. Veesaar isn’t far behind, averaging 16.8 points and 9.0 rebounds. The seven-foot Veesaar is also Carolina’s best three-point shooter at 45.9 percent.

Wilson and Veesaar each rank in the top 10 across the ACC in scoring (Wilson fourth, Veesaar 10th) and rebounding (Wilson third, Veesaar fifth). They also are among the league leaders in blocks (Wilson ninth, Veesaar 12th). Nationally, Wilson ranks fifth among all freshmen in Division 1 in scoring average.

Fans can vote for their favorite players on each list beginning Friday by clicking here. The leading vote-getter will then receive one additional vote from the award’s selection committee. Each midseason watch list of 10 players, which is fluid and can cycle players on and off, will be narrowed to five finalists in March, and the winners will be announced ahead of the Final Four.

The Malone and Abdul-Jabbar Awards have been given out annually since the 2014-15 season. A UNC player has never won either honor.

Wilson, Veesaar and the rest of the Tar Heels will be back in action when they host No. 4 Duke at the Smith Center Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

 

Featured image via Todd Melet

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