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<b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">BAYLOR ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS – Feb. 6, 2025<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="page-break-after:avoid;layout-grid-mode:char"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Baylor MBB’s Omier Named to Karl Malone Award Midseason Top 10<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="page-break-after:avoid;layout-grid-mode:char"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">The Miami transfer leads the Bears in points and rebounds per game</span></b><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">For more information, contact:
</span></b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Matt Roberts, 254-227-2280,
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none"><a href="mailto:WM_Roberts@Baylor.edu"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black">WM_Roberts@Baylor.edu</span></a></span><u><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">WACO, Texas – </span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">Baylor fifth-year forward Norchad Omier was
one of 10 players named to the Karl Malone Award Midseason Top 10, announced Thursday by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">The Malone Award honors the best power forward in men’s college basketball and is announced in conjunction with the top-10 power forwards in women’s basketball,
the Katrina McClain Award. Omier joins Baylor women’s basketball’s Darianna Littlepage-Buggs on their respective lists. Baylor is one of three schools in the country with a men’s and women’s representative.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">A native of Bluefields, Nicaragua, Omier has made an instant impact in his short time with the Bears, averaging a double-double with 15.4 points and 10.4
rebounds per game. His 11 double-doubles are the most by a Baylor player since Freddie Gillespie had 11 in 2019-20. With a team-high 16 points and 12 rebounds against Texas Tech on Tuesday night, he notched his 79<sup>th</sup> career double-double, moving
him into the top 10 all-time, passing the likes of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">BU has a history with the Karl Malone Award, as Johnathan Motley won it in 2017 when he averaged 17.3 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, leading the Bears
to a Sweet Sixteen appearance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">This list will be narrowed down to five as the season progresses. Then, the finalists will be selected in late March and presented to the selection committees
comprised of top men’s college basketball personnel, including media, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers. Presentation details will be announced at a later date. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">Throughout this process, players can play themselves on or off the list until the final five finalists are announced. Fan voting for the award will begin
on Feb. 7.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">Omier and the Bears return home on Saturday to host UCF in a 1 p.m. tip at Foster Pavilion. Lowell Galindo and BJ Taylor will have the call For ESPN+. As
always, John Morris and Pat Nunley can be heard across the Baylor Sports Media Network via ESPN Central Texas and Centexsportsfan.com on 1660 AM and 92.3 FM.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="mso-margin-top-alt:15.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:15.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:center;vertical-align:baseline">
<i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">—BaylorBears.com—<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:15.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:15.0pt;margin-left:0in;vertical-align:baseline">
<b><u><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">2024-25 Season Awards<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;text-transform:uppercase;mso-ligatures:none">VJ EDGECOMBE<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Preseason Big 12 Freshman of the Year<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Jerry West Award Watch List<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Naismith Trophy Watch List<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Wooden Award Preseason Top-50<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Sporting News All-America Third Team<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Lute Olson Award Early Season Watch List<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Big 12 co-Newcomer of the Week (1/27)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Jerry West Award Midseason Top-10<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">NORCHAD OMIER<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">NABC Player of the Year Watch List<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Naismith Trophy Player of the Year Watchl Lst<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Karl Malone Award Watch List<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Wooden Award Preseason Top-50<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Lute Olson Award Early Season Watch List<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Big 12 Player of the Week (11/25)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Oscar Robertson Midseason Top-50<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Karl Malone Award Midseason Top-10<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">JEREMY ROACH<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Big 12 co-Newcomer of the Year<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Bob Cousy Award Watchlist<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Naismith Trophy Award Watch List<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Wooden Award Preseason Top-50<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Lute Olson Award Early Season Watchlist<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">ROBERT WRIGHT<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Big 12 Newcomer of the Week (2/3)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Matt Roberts | Director of Athletic Communications (MBB/MGOLF/ WGOLF) <br>
Department of Athletics | Baylor University<br>
C: 254-227-2280</span><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#212121;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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