LUBBOCK, TX — Texas Tech sophomore forward JT Toppin has been named one of five finalists for the 2025 Karl Malone Award, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced Thursday.
Toppin leads No. 9 Texas Tech with 17.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game and recorded his 13th double-double of the season Wednesday night, scoring 30 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in a win over Colorado.
The Karl Malone Award, now in its 11th year, honors the top power forward in Division I men’s college basketball. Named after the two-time NBA MVP and Class of 2010 Hall of Famer, the award recognizes players for their skill, performance, and impact on the court. Toppin is joined on the finalist list by Johni Broome (Auburn), Danny Wolf (Michigan), Yaxel Lendeborg (UAB), and Eric Dixon (Villanova).
A native of Dallas, Toppin ranks third in the Big 12 in scoring, rebounding, and field goal percentage, shooting 56% from the field. He scored a season-high 41 points against Arizona State and has earned multiple accolades this season, including AP National Player of the Week, Big 12 Player of the Week and three Big 12 Newcomer of the Week selections.
Toppin, who transferred to Texas Tech this season after playing his freshman year at New Mexico, has totaled 908 points, 565 rebounds, 98 blocks, and 25 double-doubles in 62 career games. He has recorded 20 or more points in 12 games this season and surpassed 30 points in three. He enters Saturday’s regular-season finale at Arizona State having scored in double figures in eight consecutive games and 21 of the 26 games he has played this season.
Fans can participate in the Karl Malone Award Fan Vote starting Friday at hoophallawards.com. The Fan Vote will count as one selection in the committee’s finalist voting process.
The winner will be selected later this month by a panel of top college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers. The award will be presented alongside the other members of the Men’s Starting Five, including the Bob Cousy Award (Point Guard), Jerry West Award (Shooting Guard), Julius Erving Award (Small Forward), and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award (Center).
Previous winners of the Karl Malone Award include Jaedon LeDee (San Diego State, 2024), Trayce Jackson-Davis (Indiana, 2023), Keegan Murray (Iowa, 2022), Drew Timme (Gonzaga, 2021), and Obi Toppin (Dayton, 2020).
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