LUBBOCK, TX — Texas Tech star forward JT Toppin announced he will return for the 2025-26 season, following a breakout sophomore campaign in which he earned Big 12 Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year honors, as well as multiple All-America accolades.
Toppin averaged 18.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game while recording 19 double-doubles, leading the Red Raiders to a 28-9 overall record and their third Elite Eight appearance in program history. He became the first player in Big 12 history to be named both Player and Newcomer of the Year in the same season.
A native of Dallas, Toppin earned All-America honors from the Associated Press, NABC, USBWA and The Sporting News. He added All-Big 12 First Team and All-Newcomer Team selections to his resume and posted a double-double in all four NCAA Tournament games. He delivered 20 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in a Sweet 16 win over Arkansas, and added 20 points and 11 boards in a narrow Elite Eight loss to eventual national champion Florida.
Toppin scored in double figures in 28 of 33 games and finished the year on a 15-game double-digit scoring streak. He had seven performances of at least 25 points and 10 rebounds, including a career-best 41-point, 15-rebound game in double overtime against Arizona State. His dominant stretch late in the season also featured 30 points and 14 rebounds in the home finale against Colorado and 26 points with 10 boards in the Big 12 quarterfinals against Baylor.
He shot 55.4% from the field (246-of-444), 32.7% from 3-point range (18-of-55), and had 10 games with 10 or more made field goals. In the NCAA Tournament, he averaged 19.3 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game, including a 25-point, 12-rebound showing in the Second Round against Drake, where he shot 11-of-13 from the floor.
Toppin ended the season ranked third in the Big 12 in scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage, and second in offensive rebounds per game (3.24). He tallied a career-high 12 offensive rebounds against Saint Joseph’s and had at least six in six different games.
His 18.2 points per game were the highest by a Red Raider since Jarrett Culver’s 18.5 in 2018-19. Toppin's 19 double-doubles came just one shy of Tony Battie’s single-season record of 20 set in 1996-97.
After transferring from New Mexico, Toppin has totaled 1,047 points, 636 rebounds, 116 blocks and 31 double-doubles in 69 career games.
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