Texas Tech University Athletics
Toppin named Malone Award Finalist
March 06, 2025 | Men's Basketball
LUBBOCK – Texas Tech sophomore JT Toppin has been selected as one of five finalists by The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame for the 2025 Karl Malone Award. Toppin leads No. 9 Texas Tech with 17.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game after recording his 13th double-double of the season with 30 points and 14 rebounds last night against Colorado.
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 on the prestigious finalist list by Johni Broome (Auburn), Danny Wolf (Michigan), Yaxel Lendeborg (UAB) and Eric Dixon (Villanova).
A Dallas, Texas native, Toppin ranks third in the Big 12 in scoring, rebounding and by shooting 56.0 percent from the field for the Red Raiders this season. He had a season-high 41 points against Arizona State and has earned AP National Player of the Week, Big 12 Player of the Week and is a three-time Big 12 Newcomer of the Week selection this season. Toppin transferred to Tech this season after playing his freshman season at New Mexico. Through 62 career games, he has already produced 908 points, 565 rebounds, 98 blocked shots and 25 double-doubles. Toppin has scored 20 or more points in 12 games this season and 30 or more in three. Against Arizona State, Toppin added 15 rebounds to his career-high 41 points and followed it with 32 points and 12 rebounds in a road win at Oklahoma State. He'll go into the regular-season finale at Arizona State on Saturday having scored in double-figures in eight straight games and in 21 of the 26 he's played this season. He's coming off his third game scoring 30-plus after shooting 10-for-17 from the field and 8-of-9 from the free-throw line against the Buffaloes.
Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting starting Friday on hoophallawards.com. The Fan Vote will count as one committee vote during the finalist selection process.
Later this month, the finalists will be presented to the Hall of Fame's selection committees. 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 2025 Malone Awards 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-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).
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