Top 10 College Basketball Power Forwards 2024 Rankings

Ranking the best NCAA College Basketball Power Forwards of 2024 with names such as Jaedon LeDee, Julian Reese, Tolu Smith and more

By Sunday Umoh | April 24, 2024

The landscape of college basketball is loaded with talented stars across all five positions including at the power forward position. As you start to look at the talented list of potential candidates in the running for the Karl Malone Award handed out to the best power forward in Men’s College Basketball one player that stands out is the San Diego State Aztecs power forward Jaedon LeDee as he lands at the top of the Top 10 College Basketball Power Forwards Rankings list.

LeDee, who is in his final season with the Aztecs is putting together his best season of his college career while averaging career highs in scoring (20.4), assists (1.5), and rebounds (8.2). As LeDee is a bright spot among the Aztecs roster, he is just one of the many talented power forwards playing college basketball this season.

Joining LeDee on the list of the best power forwards in college basketball includes Drew Pember of the UNC Asheville Bulldogs, Julian Reese of the Maryland Terps, Enrique Freeman of the Akron Zips, and Daron Holmes II of the Dayton Flyers.

Here is a look at the Top 10 College Basketball Power Forwards Rankings:

Honorable Mention

Alex Karaban

School: UConn Huskies

Just missing the Top 10 College Basketball Power Forwards Rankings list is Alex Karaban of the UConn Huskies. Coming off their impressive National Championship run during the 2022-2023 NCAA Basketball season, the Huskies have been hot to start the 2023-2024 season while ranking among the top teams in college basketball.

One of the Huskies key weapons this season is their talented sophomore power forward Alex Karaban. Karaban has posted 14.4 points per game over his first 26 games of the season while also adding 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists.

In addition, the Huskies guard is averaging one steal per game and just below one blocked shot per game (.8) while delivering the Huskies a talented defensive playmaker.

Coleman Hawkins

School: Illinois Fighting Illini

Another talented power forward landing just outside of the top power forwards in Men’s college basketball is the Illinois Fighting Illini senior Coleman Hawkins.

Hawkins who is a two-year starter for the Fightin Illini is off to his best season of his career with the team while averaging a career high 12.4 points per game while also shooting a career high 44.9 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from behind the three-point line.

In addition to his ability to attack the rim, Hawkins is a subpar defender racking up 1.1 blocked shots per game while posting 1.7 steals per contest.

Top 10 College Basketball Power Forwards

10. Bryce Hopkins

School: Providence Friars

Coming in at number 10 on the Top 10 College Basketball Power Forwards Rankings list is the Providence Friars power forward Bryce Hopkins. Hopkins, when healthy, was off to a great start to his junior season before suffering a torn ACL in the team’s 61-57 loss to the Seton Hall Pirates back on January 3^rd, 2024.

Leading into the injury Hopkins had led the team on a four-game winning streak including a key 72-57 win over the 6^th ranked Marquette Golden Eagles while posting two double doubles over the four-game stretch.

Overall, in 15 games on the season, Hopkins posted 5 double doubles while averaging 15.5 points per game to go along with 8.6 rebounds. Despite missing the final few weeks of the regular season, it is hard to look past how solid of a power forward Hopkins is while being on the hardwood.

9. Jevon Porter

School: Pepperdine Waves

The sophomore class of Men’s college basketball players are loaded with some talented players including the Pepperdine Waves sophomore power forward Jevon Porter.

Porter, who posted 12.1 points and 7.2 rebounds as a freshman has continued that success over his first 16 games of the 2023-2024 NCAA Men’s Basketball schedule.

The Columbia, Missouri native is currently averaging 15 points per game while shooting 41.2 percent from the field while also adding 5.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists to go along with averaging just below one blocked shot (.9) and one steal per game (.9).

8. Graham Ike

School: Gonzaga Bulldogs

Over the years the Gonzaga Bulldogs have had some strong players dominating the hardwood and the same can be said for Graham Ike this season. Ike, who transferred in with the Bulldogs for his junior season has showcased his abilities both this season as well as over the previous two seasons.

After averaging 19.5 points per game as a sophomore last season, Ike has blossomed into a key role player for the Bulldogs while averaging 15.8 points per game to go along with seven rebounds.

In addition to that success, Ike has been brilliant in the team’s last three games all wins while scoring at least 21 points in each contest to go along with at least four rebounds.

7. Tolu Smith

School: Mississippi State Bulldogs

The SEC Conference is loaded with stars at nearly every position and the power forward position is no different. One of those talented power forwards playing within the SEC conference is Tolu Smith for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

The fifth-year senior from Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi continues to develop his all-around game in his last season of college basketball. Smith who in his fourth season with the Bulldogs is averaging a career high 16.1 points per game while shooting a career high 60.8 percent from the field.

Meanwhile Smith is as talented of a rebounder among the power forward group while averaging 8.2 per game over 13 games this season.

Despite the strong season, Smith is slowly getting started after missing most of the start of the season. A strong finish down the stretch for the Bulldogs may have Smith showcasing his talents during March Madness.

6. Norchad Omier

School: Miami Hurricanes

After starting his career with the Arkansas State Red Wolves, Norchad Omier has settled in nicely with the Miami Hurricanes over his first two seasons.

Omeir, who stepped up to play a key role last season for the Hurricanes has developed into one of the best players on his own team while ranking among the best power forwards within the ACC conference.

Through 17 games this season, Omeir just missed averaging a double-double while averaging 17.8 points per game to go along with 9.9 rebounds per game. Overall, the Hurricanes power forward has posted 14 double-doubles while failing to reach double-digit scoring in just two games.

5. Julian Reese

School: Maryland Terps

Rounding out the Top 5 landing on Top 10 College Basketball Power Forwards Rankings list is the Maryland Terps power forward Julian Reese. Reese, who is a candidate to compete for the Karl Malone Award, has been stellar all season.

The junior power forward is posting his best season with the Terps while averaging a double double over the first 27 games of the season. Reese is currently averaging 13.8 points per game to go along with 10 rebounds.

Meanwhile Reese is also a terrific all-around defender posting 1.1 steals per game to go along with two blocked shots per game.

4. DaRon Holmes II

School: Dayton Flyers

While the Dayton Flyers don’t often get the recognition of other top programs, one player that is nearly impossible to look past this season is DaRon Holmes II.

The junior power forward is putting together a terrific third season while seeing his overall production increase from his sophomore season to this season. Holmes II is currently averaging a career high 20 points per game to go along with eight rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.

Over the last six games, Holmes II has posted four games with at least 24 points while helping the Flyers to an impressive 5-1 record over that stretch while helping the team rank at the top of the A-10 conference.

3. Drew Pember

School: UNC Asheville Bulldogs

As you start to look at the best all-around power forwards in college basketball it is hard to look past Drew Pember as one of the tops among the crop of players. The UNC Asheville Bulldogs power forward is dynamic on both ends of the floor while also having a strong shot from behind the three-point line.

The fifth-year senior who is building a strong draft resume, is averaging 20.9 points per game to go along with 3.4 assists per game.

Meanwhile Pember’s is also adding nearly one steal per game (.9), nearly two blocked shots per game (1.9), as well as eight rebounds per game. Even more impressive has been Pember’s consistency including failing to reach double figures in just one of his 27 games played this season.

2. Enrique Freeman

School: Akron Zips

When it comes to the top two power forwards in college basketball both are well deserving of the top spot. Unfortunately, only one can hold that spot opening the door for the Akron Zips power forward Enrique Freeman to slide in at number two.

Freeman who is from Cleveland, Ohio is a dynamic big man who currently leads the country in rebounding while averaging 13 rebounds per game over his first 26 games this season.

To go along with the dominance on the glass, Freeman has also added 1.5 blocked shots per game, 1.7 assists and a career high 18.1 points per game to start the season.

1. Jaedon LeDee

School: San Diego State Aztecs

In at number one on the Top 10 College Basketball Power Forwards Ranking list is the San Diego State Aztecs power forward Jaedon Ledeen.

The six-foot nine-inch power forward from Houston Texas is posting his strong season of his career while posting career highs in scoring (20.5), rebounds (8.2), assists (1.4), and steals (1.3).

Much of his scoring success this season has been ability to improve his overall jumper while increasing his career high field goal percentage to 56.4 percent over the first 26 games LeDee has played this season.