After an impressive showing at the NBA Draft Combine earlier this month, JT Toppin, the former New Mexico Lobos forward, decided to commit to the Texas Tech Red Raiders instead of the Texas Longhorns on Tuesday. This commitment also meant that he withdrew from consideration for the 2024 NBA Draft.
The decision comes as a blow to the Longhorns, especially considering Toppin’s stature at 6’9 and 210 pounds, hailing from Dallas. Toppin, who earned Mountain West Freshman of the Year honors last season, would have been a valuable addition to the Longhorns’ roster, which currently lacks height.
The departure of leading rebounder Dillon Mitchell to the NCAA transfer portal further exacerbates this need, leaving only one player over 6’8, senior Kadin Shedrick at 6’11, on the 2024-25 Texas roster.
Toppin’s dominance in the Mountain West, where he led in rebounds with 9.1 per game and offensive rebounds with 3.7 per game, showcased his prowess on the court. His exceptional ability to clean the glass, evident in his conference-leading stats, translated well at the combine, where he also topped the charts in field-goal percentage (.623) and blocks (1.9).
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73374315/usa_today_22837386.0.jpg)
Despite being ranked 133rd nationally in the 247Sports Composite rankings, Toppin made a significant impact as a freshman, averaging 12.4 points per game for the Lobos before deciding to transfer and declare for the NBA Draft.
With uncertainty lingering over which other frontcourt players the Texas coaching staff is considering, the pressing need for height in the Longhorns’ lineup remains unresolved. The ability to address this gap effectively could determine the team’s potential for success in the upcoming season.