Dominating nation-leading stats, JT Toppin earns elite Karl Malone Award recognition. His explosive scoring and rebounding make him a top contender for college basketball's best power forward.
Texas Tech junior JT Toppin continues to build one of the most dominant resumes in college basketball, earning a spot on the 2026 Karl Malone Award Midseason Top 10, as announced by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
For Toppin, the recognition feels like a continuation rather than a surprise, as the Red Raiders’ forward has been a nightly matchup problem all season long.
After finishing as a finalist for the award a year ago, Toppin has taken his game to another level in 2026.
He currently leads the nation with 199 made field goals and ranks among the national leaders in nearly every major frontcourt category. Toppin is sixth nationally with 14 double-doubles, averaging 10.6 rebounds per game, while his 21.8 points per contest place him eighth in the country.
The Dallas native has also made a habit of delivering in big moments.
Toppin has scored at least 20 points in 12 games this year and has erupted for 30 or more points five times, showcasing his ability to take over games when Texas Tech needs it most.
His physicality in the paint, paired with improved touch and footwork, has made him nearly impossible to contain.
Already a three-time Big 12 Player of the Week this season, Toppin’s career production is equally eye-catching.
Through 90 games, he has totaled 1,504 points, 859 rebounds, and 45 double-doubles - numbers that reflect both durability and sustained excellence. That consistency helped him earn Consensus All-America and Big 12 Player of the Year honors last season, setting the stage for his current award push.
Toppin is one of 10 players nationally still in the hunt for the Karl Malone Award, which honors the nation’s top power forward.
The list will be trimmed to five finalists in mid-March before a winner is selected later in the postseason. Fans will also have a say, as voting opens Friday and counts as one committee vote during the selection process.
Adding to the good news for the Red Raiders, sophomore guard Christian Anderson was also recognized nationally, earning a spot on the Bob Cousy Award Midseason Top 10 list.
With postseason play looming and accolades continuing to roll in, Toppin’s focus remains on winning.
Still, his inclusion among college basketball’s elite only reinforces what Big 12 fans already know ... JT Toppin isn’t just having a great season, he’s putting together one of the best individual campaigns in the country.