Texas Tech University Athletics
Toppin tabbed for Karl Malone Award Watch List
October 30, 2025 | Men's Basketball
LUBBOCK – A finalist for the award last season, Texas Tech junior JT Toppin has now been selected by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as one of 20 candidates for the 2026 Karl Malone Award Preseason Watch List which honors the top power forward in the nation. Toppin is the third Red Raider identified by the Hall of Fame in a Starting Five preseason watch list, following sophomore Christian Anderson being named to the Bob Cousy Award Watch List and redshirt junior LeJuan Watts named to the Julius Erving Award Watch List.
The annual Karl Malone Award, named after the Class of 2010 Hall of Famer and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, celebrates its 12th year by recognizing the top power forwards in college basketball. Along with Toppin, the Malone Award Watchlist includes: Koa Peat (Arizona), Keyshawn Hall (Auburn), Michael Rataj (Baylor), Cameron Boozer (Duke), Thomas Haugh (Florida), Baye Ndongo (Georgia Tech), Graham Ike (Gonzaga), Joseph Tugler (Houston), Alvaro Folgueiras (Iowa), Joshua Jefferson (Iowa State), Malik Reneau (Miami), Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan), Caleb Wilson (North Carolina), Nick Martinelli (Northwestern), Trey Kaufman-Renn (Purdue), Bryce Hopkins (St. John's), Donnie Freeman (Syracuse), Tyler Bilodeau (UCLA) and Alex Karaban. Players can play their way on and off the list at any point throughout the season.
Previous winners of the Karl Malone Award are Johni Broome, Auburn (2025), Jaedon LeDee, San Diego State (2024), 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), Johnathan Motley, Baylor (2017), Georges Niang, Iowa State (2016), and Montrezl Harrell, Louisville (2015).
Fans can support their favorite player by participating in Fan Voting starting Friday. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2026 Karl Malone Award will be narrowed to 10, and then in late February, to just five. In March, the five finalists will be presented to Malone and the Hall of Fame's selection committees, where winners will be selected. The Selection Committees 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 2026 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-Jabba Award (Center).
Last season, Toppin earned consensus all-America, Big 12 Player of the Year, Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and All-Big 12 First Team honors. He led the Red Raiders with 18.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 19 double-doubles - recording a double-double in all four NCAA Tournament games last season and had a double-double in eight of the last 10 games of the season. Toppin scored a season-high 41 points and added 15 rebounds in a double-overtime win over Arizona State and finished the season scoring in double figures in a team high 28 games – including 15 straight to conclude the season. Within his 19 double-doubles, Toppin recorded three with 30-plus points including going for 32 points and 12 rebounds at Oklahoma State and producing 30 points and 14 rebounds in the home finale against Colorado.
Toppin, who played his freshman season at New Mexico before transferring, enters his third collegiate season with 1,047 points, 636 rebounds, 116 blocks and 31 double-doubles through 69 career games. The Red Raiders are set to open their season on November 4 against Lindenwood at United Supermarkets Arena.
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