Indiana University Men’s Basketball’s Aiden Sherrell Named to Karl Malone Award Watchlist The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced the 20 watch-list candidates for the 2027 Karl Malone Award. The annual Karl Malone Award, named after the Class of 2010 Hall of Famer and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, celebrates its 13th year by recognizing the top power forward in NCAA Division I men’s college basketball. Included in the nominees is third-year forward Aiden Sherrell, a 2024 McDonald’s All-American, who averaged 7.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.2 blocks in 16.1 minutes per game in two seasons at Alabama. He compiled three career double-doubles, was on the floor for 53 wins, and advanced to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament twice. Sherrell enjoyed a breakout second season in Tuscaloosa. He started all 34 games played for the Crimson Tide and averaged 11.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks in 23.9 minutes per game. The Detroit native scored in double figures on 19 occasions, reached the 20-point plateau four times, and posted three double-doubles. He ranked 13th nationally in blocked shots per game (2.2).
The Indiana Hoosiers will open the season at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, Nov. 2, against Eastern Illinois at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
KARL MALONE POWER FORWARD OF THE YEAR AWARD PRESEASON CANDIDATES*
Paulius Murauskas, Arizona State
Miikka Muurinen, Arkansas
Jaxon Kohler, BYU
Joaquim Boumtje-Boumtje, Duke
Alex Condon, Florida
Braden Huff, Gonzaga
Joseph Tugler, Houston
David Mirkovic, Illinois
Aiden Sherrell, Indiana
Keanu Dawes, Kansas
Malik Reneau, Miami
J.P. Estrella, Michigan
Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, Minnesota
Caden Pierce, Purdue
Keyshawn Hall, St. John’s
Xavier Edmonds, TCU
David Punch, Texas
JT Toppin, Texas Tech
Na’jai Hines, UConn
Thijs De Ridder, Virginia
*Players can play their way onto and off the list at any point in the 2025-26 season
Fans can support their favorite player by participating in Fan Voting starting Friday, October 30. In February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2027 Karl Malone Award will be narrowed to 10, then to five in March. In late March, the five finalists will be presented to Malone and the Hall of Fame’s selection committees, where the winner will be selected. The selection committee for the Karl Malone Award is composed of top men’s college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.
The winner of the 2027 Malone Award will be presented on a to-be-determined date, along with the other four members of the Men’s Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Bob Cousy Award (Point Guard), Jerry West Award (Shooting Guard), Julius Erving Award (Small Forward), and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award (Center). Previous winners of the Karl Malone Award include Cameron Boozer, Duke (2026), Johni Broome, Auburn (2025), Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana (2023), Keegan Murray, Iowa (2022), Drew Timme, Gonzaga (2021), Obi Toppin, Dayton (2020), Zion Williamson, Duke (2019), Deandre Ayton, Arizona (2018), Georges Niang, Iowa State (2016), and Montrezl Harrell, Louisville (2015).
Former Indiana University Swimmer Van Mathias Snatches First Individual World Record Van is the standard. Indiana swimming and diving alum, director operations and pro athlete Van Mathias broke the 100-meter breaststroke world record Thursday night at USA Swimming Short Course World Championship Trials inside the FMC Natatorium in Westmont, California. Mathias touched in 55.14 and eclipsed Belarusian Ilya Shymanovich’s previous world record of 55.28 from 2021. In prelims Thursday morning, Mathias set the American and U.S. Open records with a time of 55.48 and has now set the national standard in both the short course and long course 100m breaststroke events. Between Mathias and former IU swimmer Lilly King, Hoosiers own eight American records in breaststroke events.
It’s Mathias’ first individual world record, second overall. He helped the United States set the world standard in the 4×100-meter medley relay (3:36.70) this summer at the Pan Pacific Championships. With Friday night’s winning performance, Mathias will represent the United States at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) 2026, December 1-6 in Beijing. Mathias was an All-American swimmer at IU from 2018-23 before becoming the program’s director of operations ahead of its 2024-25 collegiate season. He returned to competitive swimming during the summer of 2025 and has set two world records and five American records since.
Indiana University Wrestler Aaron Johnson to Compete at Senior World Championships Indiana Wrestling alum Aaron Johnson will continue his international career at the United World Wrestling’s Senior World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan. Johnson will represent Jamaica and wrestle at 125 kg in freestyle. The championships began Saturday (Oct. 24), with eight returning world champions defending their men’s freestyle titles. The competition at heavyweight will take place from Oct. 30-31. He will open his tournament with a match in the qualification round against Ukraine’s Yurii Idzinskyi. Johnson joined Indiana’s roster in January 2024 after transferring from the University of the Cumberlands. He competed at the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games Qualifier in Panama City, Panama, where he placed fifth at 125 kg.
Indiana University Women’s Tennis Players Hi’lani Williams and Elisabeth Dunac Qualify for ITA Sectional Championships Second year Hi’ilani Williams and fourth year Elisabeth Dunac have qualified for the ITA Sectional Championships in doubles play and Williams will also compete in the singles competition on Nov. 5-8 in Knoxville, Tenn. Williams and Dunac are 5-2 overall this fall highlighted by a semifinal appearance in the ITA Ohio Valley Regional Championships. The pair picked up a set of wins during the Hoosier Classic (Oct. 2-4). Williams also claimed Big Ten Player of the Week honors (Oct. 7) after winning her singles flight at the Hoosier Classic. She then continued her success, winning her opening match during the ITA Regionals before concluding singles play in the round of 32. More information on draws and match times will be provided at a later date.
DeForest Buckner’s wish granted: From the 2-5 Indianapolis Colts back to ‘winning’ San Francisco (6-1) First Quenton Nelson, now DeForest Buckner. The Indianapolis Colts’ anticipated reboot went into overdrive Tuesday with Nelson’s trade to Seattle and DeForest Buckner being traded to the San Francisco 49ers. With the Buckner move, the Colts recoup a 2027 fourth-round pick and the 49ers assume the final $7.944 million of his ’26 salary. Buckner is in the final year of his two-year, $46 million contract. Buckner is returning to where his NFL career began. The 49ers drafted him in the first round of the 2016 draft and then traded him to the Colts in March 2020 for the 13th overall pick in the draft. Over the past six-plus seasons, Buckner established himself as a franchise and defensive cornerstone. His mural hangs, along with Nelson’s, on the outside of Lucas Oil Stadium. “He’s a dawg, obviously,’’ coach Shane Steichen said last month. “One of the best in the league and somebody that’s proven himself year after year in this league. The film he’s put out already this year, he’s dominant, especially in the pass rush and the run game.
“Having him healthy and him playing as fast as he is and do what he does, that changes the game for us.’’ Buckner’s seventh season with the Colts nearly didn’t happen. He considered retirement after undergoing surgery on New Year’s Eve to address a herniated disc in his neck that was pressing on a nerve and robbing him of his strength. “Obviously when things like that happen, I found myself in some deep, dark thoughts about what I’m going to do,’’ he said during the offseason. “Just talking to the people closest to me – just talking through all the emotions – I’m in a good space where obviously I want to be out there this year. “I’m going to do whatever it takes to be out there by week 1.’’
He followed an exhaustive rehab schedule and not only was ready for the season-opener against Baltimore but has been the Colts’ premier defensive player. Again. In seven starts, the 6-7, 295-pounder shares the team high with 4 sacks to go along with eight quarterback hits and four tackles for loss. Buckner’s 47 sacks are a Colts’ record for a defensive tackle and the fourth-most in team history. He’s a three-time Pro Bowl selection, was first-team All-Pro in 2020 and second team in ’19.
Despite his individual successes, Buckner grew increasingly frustrated with the team’s shortcomings. The Colts reached the playoffs in his first season in 2020 but haven’t been back. They’re 2-12 since opening last season 8-2. After the embarrassing 16-10 loss to previously winless Tennessee on Oct. 18, Buckner’s anger simmered to the surface. It was mentioned Steichen was “pissed off’’ during his post-game press conference. “Yeah, I’m pissed off, too,’’ Buckner said. “I’m sick and tired of the same song and dance every year.’’ After owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon fired general manager Chris Ballard Oct. 19, Buckner was asked about his immediate future with the team. Trades were anticipated. “Yeah, right now I’m just focused on the Vikings,’’ he said of the upcoming game with Minnesota. But honestly, he was focused on more than that. “All I care about is winning,’’ Buckner said. “My main things are winning and being able to compete for a Super Bowl. Done. From the 2-5 Colts to the 6-1 49ers.
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton “week-to-week” with left hamstring strain Indiana Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton will be “week-to-week” with a “mild” left hamstring strain, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said. Carlisle said he does not think it is realistic for Haliburton to play in the next two weeks. Haliburton has played in all four games this season after returning from his torn Achilles. Haliburton is averaging 21.8 points and 9.5 assists per game this season on 51.6% shooting.
Indianapolis Colts place cornerback on the injured reserve list The Indianapolis Colts have placed cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt on the injured reserve list after sustaining a groin injury in Minnesota. The injury happened during the Vikings only touchdown drive in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 16-10 loss. Taylor-Britt will miss at least the next four games while on IR. Taylor-Britt has played in six games this season after being suspended for Week 1’s matchup against the Ravens. He’s logged seven tackles, including one tackle for loss and one sack, during his short time with the Colts. Taylor-Britt joined the Colts this offseason after spending the last four years with Cincinnati. He started in 40 games while with the Bengals. The Colts get ready to play the AFC South-leading Jaguars on the road on Sunday. The Colts haven’t won in Jacksonville in 11 years. Through seven weeks, Indy sits 2.5 games back of the Jags in the division standings.