Gonzaga’s Graham Ike Named to Wooden Award Midseason Top 20 Watch List
Gonzaga big man Graham Ike continues to make noise on the national stage, earning a spot on the 2025-26 John R. Wooden Award Late Midseason Top 20 Watch List.
The award, presented annually to the most outstanding player in college basketball, recognizes not just statistical dominance, but leadership, consistency, and impact. And right now, Ike checks every box.
Let’s start with the numbers - because they’re staggering.
Ike leads all active players in college basketball with 2,373 career points. That’s not just a product of longevity; it’s a testament to how relentlessly productive he’s been throughout his career.
His 1,074 career rebounds rank second among active players, and no one else in the country has crossed both the 2,000-point and 1,000-rebound thresholds. That kind of two-way dominance puts him in a class of his own.
He’s also first in the nation in career field goals made (908), fourth in free throws made (520), and third in career double-doubles (43). This season alone, he’s racked up 12 double-doubles - good for 12th in the country - and he’s flirted with a few more, recording two games where he finished with nine boards and double-digit points.
In fact, he’s scored in double figures in every game this season except one. That’s the kind of consistency coaches dream about.
Zooming in on his impact in the West Coast Conference, Ike has been nothing short of dominant. He leads the WCC in scoring (19.7 points per game), ranks second in rebounding (8.5), and is second in field goal percentage (.566).
And when the lights get brighter in conference play, he steps up even more - posting 23.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and shooting a blistering .654 from the field. That’s not just efficient; that’s imposing your will.
Ike’s inclusion on the Wooden Award Watch List puts him among an elite group of 20 players who’ve stood out through the heart of the college basketball season. While this isn’t the final cut - players not on the list can still make the National Ballot - it’s a strong indicator of who’s separating themselves from the pack.
The Wooden Award National Ballot will eventually narrow things down to 15 players, and voters will rank their top 10 during the NCAA Tournament. Tournament performance, team contributions, and character will all play a role in the final decision. The Wooden Award All-American Team will be announced during the week of the Elite Eight, and the winners will be honored at the Los Angeles Athletic Club.
Here’s a look at the full 2025-26 John R. Wooden Award Men’s Late Midseason Top 20 Watch List:
- **Darius Acuff Jr. **, Arkansas, Freshman, G, 6-3
- Christian Anderson, Texas Tech, Sophomore, G, 6-3
- Cameron Boozer, Duke, Freshman, F, 6-9
- Jaden Bradley, Arizona, Senior, G, 6-3
- AJ Dybansta, BYU, Freshman, F, 6-9
- Jeremy Fears, Michigan State, Redshirt Sophomore, G, 6-2
- Kingston Fleming, Houston, Freshman, G, 6-4
- PJ Haggerty, Kansas State, Junior, G, 6-4
- Thomas Haugh, Florida, Junior, F, 6-9
- Graham Ike, Gonzaga, Grad Student, F, 6-9
- Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State, Senior, F, 6-9
- Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan, Grad Student, F, 6-9
- Darryn Peterson, Kansas, Freshman, G, 6-6
- **Labaron Philon Jr. **, Alabama, Sophomore, G, 6-4
- Braden Smith, Purdue, Senior, G, 6-0
- Bennet Stirtz, Iowa, Senior, G, 6-4
- Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt, Sophomore, G, 6-0
- JT Toppin, Texas Tech, Junior, F, 6-9
- Keaton Wagler, Illinois, Freshman, G, 6-6
- Caleb Wilson, North Carolina, Freshman, F, 6-10
With his elite production and leadership on a national contender, Graham Ike is firmly in the conversation for college basketball’s top honor. If he keeps up this pace - and all signs point to that - he could be adding a Wooden Award trophy to an already stellar résumé.