JT Toppin spurns draft, announces return to Texas Tech

Field Level Media|published: 04/09/2025, 2:57pm EDT

Mar 29, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward JT Toppin (15) walks downcourt during the second half against the Florida Gators during the West Regional final of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

Big 12 Player of the Year JT Toppin announced Wednesday that he's returning to Texas Tech for his junior season.

He made the announcement with two words on Instagram: "I'm Back."

BREAKING: Texas Tech star forward JT Toppin, the Big 12 Player of the Year, has announced he will return to Texas Tech for the 2025/26 season! #GunsUp #WreckEm pic.twitter.com/KoPWbIEq7Z
— RedRaiderSports.com (@RedRaiderSports) April 9, 2025

Toppin was also a consensus All-American after averaging 18.2 points and 9.4 rebounds in 33 starts for the Red Raiders, helping them to an Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The 6-foot-9 forward transferred from New Mexico to Lubbock, Texas, after the 2023-24 season.

Toppin will expect to be a preseason All-American and candidate for preseason national player of the year going into the 2025-26 season.

CBS Sports reported Toppin is in line to earn about $4 million in NIL money next season.

Toppin had a draft ranking of No. 45 at ESPN but had risen to No. 15 in CBS Sports' rankings.

Toppin averages 15.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 69 career games (68 starts) for the Lobos and Red Raiders.

--Field Level Media