Texas Tech University Athletics
Toppin nominated for Karl Malone Award
February 06, 2025 | Men's Basketball
LUBBOCK – Texas Tech sophomore JT Toppin has been identified by The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a Top 10 candidate for the 2025 Karl Malone Award. Toppin is currently averaging 14.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game along with leading the No. 13-ranked Red Raiders with seven double-doubles.
The annual Karl Malone Award, named after the Class of 2010 Hall of Famer and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, celebrates its 11th year by recognizing the top power forwards in Division I men's college basketball. Toppin is joined by 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), Eric Dixon (Villanova) as candidates for the award. Additionally, players can play their way onto and off the list at any point in the 2024-25 season.
Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting in both of the remaining rounds starting on Friday on hoophallawards.com. The Fan Vote will count as one committee vote during the finalist selection process.
Toppin is in his first season at Texas Tech after playing his freshman year at New Mexico where he earned Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year. He scored a season-high 26 points and added 10 rebounds against UCF to begin Big 12 play and recorded his most recent double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds in a win over TCU. A Dallas, Texas native, he has 19th career double-doubles, 713 points and 477 rebounds through 54 games in his career. Toppin and the Red Raiders are on a seven-game winning streak going into a weekend matchup against No. 20 Arizona at 9:30 p.m. (CST) on Saturday in Tucson, Arizona.
In March, the Top 10 list will be narrowed to just five, and in late March, the five finalists will be presented to Malone, McClain, and the Hall of Fame's selection committees, where winners will be selected. The Selection Committee for the Karl Malone Award is composed of top college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.
The winner of the 2025 Malone Award will be presented on a to-be-determined date, along with the other four members of the 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-Jabbar Award (Center).
Previous winners of the Karl Malone Award are 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).
For more information on the 2025 Karl Malone Award and the latest updates, visit hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophallu, #MaloneAward, and #McClainAward on X and Instagram.
Follow the Red Raiders: Keep up with Texas Tech men's basketball news at TexasTech.com and at the team's social media on Instagram, X and Facebook.
