Graham Ike is making serious noise this season - and the rest of the country is starting to take notice.
The Gonzaga Bulldogs graduate forward has been named one of 10 midseason candidates for the Karl Malone Award, which honors the top power forward in college basketball. It’s a prestigious list, and Ike’s inclusion is no surprise to anyone who’s been watching his dominant run in Spokane.
This is the same award Drew Timme brought home in 2020-21, and now Ike is looking to follow in those footsteps - or maybe even carve out his own legacy in the process. The final decision will come from the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame later this season, but for now, Ike has put himself firmly in the conversation.
And he’s earned it.
Ike is the only active player in the country with more than 2,000 career points and 1,000 rebounds - a rare milestone that speaks volumes about both his longevity and his production. He’s not just filling up box scores; he’s doing it efficiently and consistently, night in and night out.
In the West Coast Conference, he’s been nothing short of dominant. Ike leads the league in scoring at 19.0 points per game, ranks second in rebounding with 8.6 boards per contest, and is also second in field goal percentage, hitting over 55% of his shots. That’s the kind of all-around impact that wins games - and garners national attention.
He’s also racked up 12 double-doubles this season, tied for the tenth-most in the NCAA. That stat alone speaks to his ability to control the paint on both ends of the floor. Whether it’s establishing deep post position, crashing the glass, or finishing through contact, Ike brings a physical, polished presence that few bigs in college basketball can match.
But it’s not just about numbers. Ike’s leadership and experience have been crucial for a Gonzaga team that’s once again in the national spotlight. He’s the anchor - the guy Mark Few can count on when the game tightens up and they need a bucket or a stop.
The Karl Malone Award watch list is stacked with talent from across the country. Alongside Ike, the other nine midseason candidates are:
- Koa Peat (Arizona Wildcats)
- Cameron Boozer (Duke Blue Devils)
- Joshua Jefferson (Iowa State Cyclones)
- Malik Reneau (Miami Hurricanes)
- Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan Wolverines)
- Caleb Wilson (North Carolina Tar Heels)
- Trey Kaufman-Renn (Purdue Boilermakers)
- JT Toppin (Texas Tech Red Raiders)
- Alex Karaban (UConn Huskies)
That’s a loaded group, featuring some of the most versatile and productive forwards in the game. But Ike’s case is as strong as anyone’s. He’s not just putting up stats - he’s setting the tone for a Gonzaga team with big-time aspirations.
As the season rolls on and the games get bigger, so will the spotlight. And if Ike keeps playing at this level, don’t be surprised if he’s the one holding the Karl Malone Award when it’s all said and done.