Gonzaga's Graham Ike is turning heads as one of the standout finalists for the prestigious 2026 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award, announced by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. This accolade, named after the legendary Hall of Famer and three-time NCAA Champion Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, is in its 12th year of celebrating the top centers in men's college basketball.
Joining Ike in the finalists' circle are Alex Condon from Florida, Flory Bidunga of Kansas, Henri Veesar from North Carolina, and St. John's Zuby Ejiofor. Each of these athletes has showcased exceptional talent and skill throughout the season.
Ike's season has been nothing short of spectacular. Recently crowned the West Coast Conference Player of the Year, he leads the WCC in scoring, averaging 19.7 points per game, and boasts a field goal percentage of .573.
His dominance is even more pronounced in conference play, where he averages 21.9 points and maintains a .613 shooting percentage, while also pulling down 8.2 rebounds per game. With 14 double-doubles this season, Ike ranks 16th nationally, and his record-breaking performances have set a new standard at Gonzaga.
On the national stage, Ike's numbers are just as impressive. He leads all active players with 2,531 career points and ranks second with 1,133 rebounds.
Notably, he stands alone as the only player with over 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. His career achievements include 975 field goals, the most among active players, and 535 made free throws, placing him fourth.
His 45 career double-doubles are the third-most in the nation.
Fans have the chance to weigh in through Fan Voting, which begins Friday on hoophallawards.com. This vote will contribute as a committee vote in the final selection process.
Later this month, the finalists will be reviewed by Abdul-Jabbar and the Hall of Fame's selection committees, composed of esteemed college basketball figures. The winners of the Abdul-Jabbar and Leslie Awards will be announced alongside other members of the Men's and Women's Starting Five, including awards for top point guards, shooting guards, small forwards, and power forwards.
Past winners of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award include notable names like Ryan Kalkbrenner from Creighton and Zach Edey from Purdue, showcasing the caliber of talent recognized by this honor. Graham Ike's inclusion among the finalists highlights his exceptional impact on the court and positions him as a key player to watch.