Texas Tech’s JT Toppin Earns Third Big 12 Newcomer of the Week

LUBBOCK, TX — Texas Tech sophomore JT Toppin has been named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week for the third time this season after averaging 18.0 points and 9.5 rebounds in games against TCU and West Virginia last week.

Toppin extended his streak of double-doubles to four with a 14-point, 11-rebound performance against TCU on Tuesday before scoring 22 points with eight rebounds in a home win over West Virginia on Saturday. He has now recorded 10 games of 20 or more points this season and is averaging 17.3 points and 9.1 rebounds per game.

Against West Virginia, Toppin shot 9-for-16 from the field and matched a career-high with two 3-pointers. His 11th double-double of the season and 23rd of his career came at TCU, where he went 5-of-9 from the field and grabbed four offensive rebounds. He has scored in double figures in five consecutive games and 18 of the 23 he has played this season. Toppin ranks third in the Big 12 in both scoring and rebounding while shooting 57.1% from the field.

The Dallas native transferred to Texas Tech after playing his freshman season at New Mexico. Over 59 career games, he has totaled 843 points, 536 rebounds, 96 blocks, and a 59.8% shooting percentage (354-for-592).

This is Toppin’s second consecutive weekly conference honor after being named the Associated Press National Player of the Week, Big 12 Player of the Week, and Big 12 Newcomer of the Week last week. Over his last five games, he has averaged 26.0 points and 11.8 rebounds, highlighted by a career-high 41 points and 15 rebounds against Arizona State and 32 points and 12 rebounds at Oklahoma State.

Toppin previously won Big 12 Newcomer of the Week on Nov. 25 after scoring 24 points with 12 rebounds against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, followed by a 15-point effort against Syracuse at the UKG Legends Classic.

No. 10 Texas Tech hosts No. 4 Houston at 8 p.m. Monday at United Supermarkets Arena before traveling to face Kansas on Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse. Toppin is averaging 19.4 points, 10.3 rebounds, and shooting 60.9% (103-for-169) from the field in home games this season.