On Tuesday, the basketball world shifted a bit in the Big 12. The Texas Tech Red Raiders announced the return of a key player who missed the postseason run last season. Big man JT Toppin will be back in the starting five as the Red and Black look to run it back in the 2026-27 season.
Anyone associated with the men’s basketball program knows what they lost when JT Toppin went down with an injury against the Arizona State Sun Devils back in February. The concern was confirmed by an MRI that showed a torn ACL. Many wondered what that would mean for his future in Lubbock. That question was finally answered on Tuesday with a video shared on the team’s X account.
Toppin was in the middle of a career season at the collegiate level. He averaged 21.8 points per game with 10.8 rebounds. He was a walking double-double who was fearsome as a defender in the paint. His loss was noticeable on the hardwood.
After the Red Raiders watched guard Christian Anderson Jr. get drafted by the Charlotte Hornets, many wondered what next year’s team would look like. The backcourt will look different with a trio of transfers who join 2026 signee Dakari Spears. Toppin’s return to the frontcourt really sets them up for success.
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This article originally appeared on Red Raiders Wire: Texas Tech men’s basketball gets major boost with JT Toppin’s return
Reporting by Patrick Conn, Red Raiders Wire / Red Raiders Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Patrick Conn, Red Raiders Wire | USA TODAY Network
