UCLA Basketball: T.J. Leaf Named to Karl Malone Award Watch List

True freshman UCLA Basketball player T.J. Leaf has been named to the  preseason Karl Malone award watchlist, honoring the nation’s top power forward.

The UCLA basketball team has an embarrassment of riches. The Bruins just landed their fifth individual preseason award nomination as freshman power forward T.J. Leaf has made a prestigious list of 20 players named to the Karl Malone Award watch list.

How great is this for the program? Aside from the three-game Australia trip, Leaf has not played a second for the Bruins and is already getting national attention.

Last season, Leaf averaged 28.4 points and 12.4 rebounds per game as a senior at his Foothills Christian High School. This summer in Australia, Leaf gave us a preview of what kind of athlete he is. In the Bruins’ win in their first game against Sydney University, he went off for 21 points and 9 rebounds.

Leaf will join what is expected to be a deep and talented front court. He will join junior center Thomas Welsh who will resume his responsibilities in the middle the paint, while freshman Ike Anigbogu will be an immediate defensive threat.

Next: Thomas Welsh Named to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Watch List

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Recognizing Leaf’s abilities just goes to show  how vital and impressive recruiting has been for Head Coach Steve Alford in the last few seasons. With the way this season is progressing, the UCLA Basketball team could have one of the best front courts in not just the Pac-12, but the nation. Go Bruins!