JT Toppin Earns Unanimous All-Big 12 First Team Honors for Texas Tech

Texas Tech junior forward JT Toppin was named to the All-Big 12 First Team, one of three unanimous selections.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Texas Tech junior forward JT Toppin was named to the All-Big 12 First Team on Monday, and was one of three unanimous selections. Toppin played 25 games this season before suffering a torn ACL, averaging a career-high 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game while shooting 54.8% from the field. He is only the third Red Raider in program history to earn multiple All-Big 12 First Team honors.

Why it matters

Toppin was in the National Player of the Year conversation before his season-ending injury, and his absence has been felt by the Red Raiders, who have shifted to a more guard-centric lineup that has affected their rebounding and interior defense. Texas Tech is currently ranked No. 16 nationally and has the sixth-best odds to win the Big 12 tournament, but will need to find their footing quickly to have success in the NCAA Tournament.

The details

Toppin recorded nine double-doubles in conference play, six of which featured 20-plus points. Despite missing the last five games of the regular season, Toppin scored 52 more points than Jaden Bradley of Arizona in Big 12 play, though Bradley was named Big 12 Player of the Year. Sophomore guard Christian Anderson was named most improved and was also a All-Big 12 First Team selection, while senior guard Donovan Atwell earned Honorable Mention All-Big 12 and was named to the Newcomer Team.

  • Toppin played 25 games this season before suffering a torn ACL in his right knee against Arizona State.
  • Toppin was in the National Player of the Year conversation before being sidelined for the season.
  • Texas Tech lost 82-76 to BYU in the regular season finale, a prime example of how Toppin's absence has affected the team.

The players

JT Toppin

A junior forward for Texas Tech who was named to the All-Big 12 First Team and was one of three unanimous selections. He played 25 games this season before suffering a torn ACL, averaging a career-high 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game while shooting 54.8% from the field.

Jaden Bradley

The Arizona player who was named Big 12 Player of the Year, despite Toppin scoring 52 more points than him in Big 12 play.

Christian Anderson

A sophomore guard for Texas Tech who was named most improved and was also a All-Big 12 First Team selection.

Donovan Atwell

A senior guard for Texas Tech who earned Honorable Mention All-Big 12 and was named to the Newcomer Team.

Grant McCasland

The head coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

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What they’re saying

“They haven't been playing their best basketball but I thought they had a second half where they played great. This environment really made a difference in this game. I love our team and love what we can be, but when you give up 20 offensive rebounds and get crushed in the paint like we did today, it's going to be hard to win. This was a real game against a great team that I thought found their edge tonight in a physical way. They didn't shoot it great early but they didn't looked discouraged and their switch ability caused us problems. What they did on the glass was the difference.”

— Grant McCasland, Texas Tech head coach (si.com)

The takeaway

Toppin's season-ending injury has had a significant impact on the Texas Tech Red Raiders, who have struggled without their dominant big man. The team will need to quickly find their footing and identity if they hope to have success in the postseason, as Toppin's absence has affected their rebounding, interior defense, and overall performance.