It's been a few weeks since the season ended, and while the college basketball world is laser-focused on where players could go now, the transfers of last year's offseason are earning plaudits.
CBS Sports named its annual All-Transfer Team, which looks to recognize the best transfers in the country over the past season. In a star-studded five-man team with the likes of Danny Wolf and Chaz Lanier, the crown jewel of them all was Texas Tech forward JT Toppin.
CBS Sports said there was no other choice for Transfer of the Year other than Toppin, who was also a CBS Sports First Team All-America honoree.
The 2024-25 season was a landmark one for the Red Raiders, who were under the guidance of second-year head coach Grant McCasland. Texas Tech went 28-9, finished second in the Big 12, had top-10 finishes in multiple advanced metrics, a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament, and reached the Elite Eight, falling to eventual national champion Florida.
"At the center of this revitalization was Toppin, a powerful power forward who arrived via New Mexico last May," Matt Norlander said.
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Toppin was the Red Raiders' leading scorer, averaging 18.2 points per game, while also tallying 9.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. Norlander credited Texas Tech's top-five placement in adjusted offensive efficiency to Toppin, who was a key piece of their attack.
"Best of all for TTU: Toppin isn't going anywhere. He's bypassed the NBA Draft process altogether to stay in Lubbock for another season, making him a shoo-in for preseason First Team All-America status — and perhaps the 2025-26 preseason national player of the year," Norlander added. "Toppin's decision to return includes massive financial incentives: He's set to earn at least $4 million, sources told CBS Sports."
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