LUBBOCK, TX — Texas Tech sophomore forward JT Toppin has been named one of 10 finalists for the 2025 Karl Malone Award, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced Thursday.
Toppin, who is in his first season with the No. 13-ranked Red Raiders, is averaging 14.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. He leads the team with seven double-doubles and has been a key contributor in Texas Tech’s seven-game winning streak.
The Karl Malone Award, now in its 11th year, honors the nation’s top power forward in Division I men’s basketball. Named after the Hall of Famer and two-time NBA MVP, the award recognizes players who excel in scoring, rebounding, and overall impact on the court.
Toppin joins a field of standout candidates, including Johni Broome (Auburn), Norchad Omier (Baylor), Tyson Degenhart (Boise State), Graham Ike (Gonzaga), Danny Wolf (Michigan), Michael Rataj (Oregon State), Yaxel Lendeborg (UAB), Alex Karaban (UConn), and Eric Dixon (Villanova). Players can be added or removed from the list as the season progresses.
Toppin, a Dallas native, transferred to Texas Tech after earning Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year honors at New Mexico last season. He has recorded 19 career double-doubles and amassed 713 points and 477 rebounds across 54 collegiate games. He posted a season-high 26 points and 10 rebounds against UCF to open Big 12 play and recently notched a 16-point, 14-rebound performance in a win over TCU.
Fan voting for the award begins Friday at hoophallawards.com, with votes counting as one selection in the committee’s decision-making process. In March, the list will be narrowed to five finalists before a final vote by Malone, Hall of Fame members, and a selection committee composed of media, coaches, and sports information directors.
The 2025 Karl Malone Award winner will be announced alongside the other four position-specific honorees in the Naismith Starting Five, which also includes 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 Zion Williamson (Duke, 2019).
Toppin and Texas Tech (18-4, 9-2 Big 12) return to action Saturday in a road matchup against No. 20 Arizona at 9:30 p.m. (CST).
For more information on the Karl Malone Award, visit hoophallawards.com or follow @hoophallu, #MaloneAward, and #McClainAward on X and Instagram.
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