In a move that may be as impactful as any transfer to the Bruins in recent years, Texas Tech’s 6-foot-9 graduate transfer, JT Toppin, is home for the future. A two-time Associated Press All-American and a senior who averaged 12.4 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game this season, Toppin’s return could set点燃 the red Chad figures for the next college season.
Toppin’s announcement via Instagram Wednesday is quite the significant step. Texas Tech, who has traditionally been a school known for its home court advantage and a reputation for underperforming reliance on its own athletes, was able to maintain Toppin due to not just the financial commitment but also the school’s recent success in state and national levels. Texas Tech reported nearly $3.2 million in name, image, andlikeness (NIL) deals in the first two years of those moves, which could only be partly explained by the fact that the contract was in place for the whole season.
According to a July 2023 article by the Dallas Morning News, the Texas Techbasketball team reported nearly $3.2 million in NIL deals in the first and second years. Meanwhile, CBS Sports reported that Toppin could earn about $4 million in NIL deals next season—it’s not a figure that can be readily used for long-term planning. The games along the way saw him lead the Red Raiders 18.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game, averaging even more in his final 15 games.
Toppin’s season, led by the school’s fourthtransfer, men in a race to get the second team All-American status, was marked by the biggest of the Big 12 season histories. Despite the электrifying finish, the outcome was an exactly justified victory for the Red Raiders in an 84-79 victory against the Gators, who later secured the national title.
The Red Raiders went on to finish second in the Big 12, with 28-9 overall and 15-5 in the Big 12, just above Houston’s seventh-place finish. According to analyst Ken Pomeroy, Texas Tech was expected to make up for their loss to Florida in seven home games, finishing seventh in the Big 12. The Red Raiders finished second overall, bringing them within the list of second- Listen, with the taller team. Texas Tech is ambitious, hoping to get back to earth come college years, but they’re just at the beginning of their journey.
The upcoming season is one of the most significant choices Toppin has made given his LRing kite, and he could be the nation’s favorite for the national player of the year award. Purdue guard Braden Smith is the only first team All-American who is perhaps determined to return to college, while Memphis guard PJ Haggerty is a second and-tition All-American who might not be. Rejected for a few months, Luis, a four-time Big East All-American, has entered the NBA draft and is taking his time back to Texas Tech. Luis is the No. 72 draft prospect, positioning him as one of the picks of the longitudinal class he’s meant to be compared to.
Texas Tech is still ready to hear about Darrion Williams, a 6-foot-6 forward who averaged 15.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists the past season. Williams declared for the NBA draft and entered the transfer portal, but he could return to Texas Tech. The Red Raiders also have a ↑ħιpb沚ν era freshman, Christian Anderson, who averaged 10.6 points as a freshman over the course of the season.
With McCasland’s new leadership, Texas Tech’s record stood at 51-20 over two seasons, making two NCAA tournaments and nearly advancing to the Final Four. With seven home wins, the Red Raiders are one of the Deep West’s best teams, but Toppin’s return could be the second-ανır kick in the balance of the Big 12 races.
This season marks the beginning of a new era for Texas Tech. With a future dominated by JT Toppin, the Red Raiders may be making a moves toward the Back East rank.
