In the 2025–2026 season, the Dallas native has made a significant difference for the Texas Tech Red Raiders as a star forward, and there is a good reason why he is the current Big 12 Player of the Year.
He averaged 21. 9 points and 11 rebounds throughout the season, and if the Red Raiders maintain their current winning streak, which includes a recent overtime victory against the top-ranked Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, he may be well on his way to earning his honor this year as well.
When other coaches have an idea of how talented you are, that’s a different story, even if Texas Tech supporters and head coach Grant McCasland are clearly aware of Toppin’s abilities and how important his skill is to the Red Raiders’ success.
Particularly if that coach came close to winning a national title last year.
Following Tech’s victory against Arizona, Houston’s Kelvin Sampson lauds Toppin.
As March Madness approaches, Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson discussed his attitude for the season and its current status during an interview on the Field of 68 podcast.
He discussed the challenge the Arizona Wildcats present at one point during his appearance and mentioned how well Texas Tech played them, how Donovan Atwell and JT Toppin took control late in the game and won, and how it reminded Sampson of Houston’s second match against Tech.
I watched the Texas Tech and Arizona game last night, Sampson said. That game’s conclusion was strikingly similar to the conclusion of our game. We held the lead after (Donovan) Atwell made two threes, but then we were unable to stop (JT) Toppin.
Sampson would then compliment Toppin, calling him the best player in college basketball.
I’m not sure Toppin isn’t the greatest player in college basketball during my freshman year, according to the Houston coach. Falling in love with the freshman is romantic because they are new and fresh, but JT Toppin is the finest player we have faced this season. I’ll take Toppin if I’m selecting first and he’s available.
The Red Raiders lost their first game against the Cougars in Houston early last month by a score of 69–65, but they got vengeance 18 days later when the Coogs traveled to Lubbock and beat them by a score of 90–86.
Toppin was once again highlighted for Tech in both of those competitions, as he scored a double-double in both games, with 18 points and 11 boards in the first and 31 points and 12 rebounds in the victory.
Given that the Big 12 and NCAA Tournament are both approaching, there is no justification for ruling out a third round between these two clubs in the 2026 season, which would give Toppin another opportunity to demonstrate his value to the team as he may start to concentrate on the NBA and the draft scheduled for late June.
Toppin and the Red Raiders are currently focused on the Arizona State Sun Devils, another Arizona club, who they will play on Tuesday night at 10:00 PM on ESPN2.
