Gonzaga’s Kyle Wiltjer named to Malone watch list

Gonzaga senior Kyle Wiltjer has been named to the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year watch list, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Tuesday.

Wiltjer is one of three finalists from last year’s list, joining Perry Ellis (Kansas) and Georges Niang (Iowa State).

The Portland native led the Bulldogs in scoring last season at 16.8 points per game. He hit 68 3-pointers and shot a team-best 46.6 percent from long range.

Gonzaga finished 35-3 last season and advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament.

The Bulldogs will play an exhibition game at home against Eastern Oregon on Nov. 7. GU’s regular-season opener is Nov. 13 in Okinawa, Japan, against Pittsburgh in the Armed Forces Classic.