One of the most controversial former Texas Tech basketball stars of the past few years is headed out of the Big 12...again. This time, all Texas Tech fans are glad to see him go because he likely won't be able to come back to haunt his former program.
Pop Isaacs, who played for Tech from 2022-24, is apparently transferring to Texas A&M, according to multiple reports on social media. This comes after he committed to play for Houston earlier this offseason.
However, the Cougars recently found out that guard Milos Uzan, a key member of Houston's run to the 2025 National Championship Game, is withdrawing from the NBA Draft and returning to play for the Cougars. This past season, Uzan was a second-team All-Big 12 performer who put up 11.4 points and 4.2 assists per game.
Now that he's back in the fold for Houston, Isaacs likely had concerns about his role in 2025-26. Therefore, he has backed out of his committment and is planning on becoming an Aggie.
BREAKING: Creighton transfer guard Pop Isaacs has signed with Texas A&M, @PeteNakos_ reports👍
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal_) May 27, 2025
Pop was originally committed to Houston.https://t.co/X2gOiRcqaV pic.twitter.com/zomSxXU4Pc
While the wisdom of willingly becoming an Aggie is questionable, Texas Tech fans certainly won't be sad to see Isaacs play in the SEC rather than the Big 12. That's because he likely would have taken his game to a new level under the guidance of Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson, who has a reputation for coaxing the most out of veteran guards.
Of course, Texas Tech fans didn't want to think about he possibility of Isaacs coming back into the conference and torching the Red Raiders as an opponent. Now, that likely won't happen. However, there is the possibility that Tech and A&M could meet this season if the Aggies decide to honor the home-and-home agreement that they made with Tech prior to last season.
That deal was struck when Buzz Williams was the head coach, though. Now that he's off to Maryland, there is no telling if A&M will honor the agreement under new head coach Bucky McMillan.
If that series falls through, Tech probably won't face Isaacs as an opponent unless the teams meet in the NCAA Tournament. That's best for all involved, given the history between the player and Texas Tech.
Isaacs' time in Lubbock was controversial and his departure was welcomed by some fans. That's because he was accused of sexual assault after allegedly sleeping with a 17-year-old girl in the Bahamas while on a team trip with Texas Tech in 2023.
Though the lawsuit against him was dropped, the entire situation did not sit well with a segment of the Texas Tech fandom. Therefore, when Isaacs left to transfer to Creighton prior to last season, some were not sad to see him go. Meanwhile, others hated to lose a player of his talent, regardless of the drama that came with him.
In 59 games with Tech, he averaged 13.9 points per game. That included 15.8 points per game in 2023-24.
However, Isaacs was not a perfect player. A volume shooter, he wasn't the most efficient scorer, and from time to time, his shoot-first mentality harmed the Red Raiders, especially on nights when he was off the mark. However, when he was hot, there was no better scorer in the Big 12.
At Creighton, Isaacs played only eight games before a hip injury that he originally sustained at Texas Tech caused him to miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season following surgery. Prior to that, he was averaging 16.3 points and 3.9 assists per game.
There is no denying that Isaacs is a dynamic scorer. That's why Texas Tech fans were right to be concerned that he might max out his potential while playing for Houston.
Now, though, he appears headed to a different but still hated Texas school. While no one in scarlet and black will want to see him ball out for the Aggies, at least now, he won't stand in the way of the Red Raiders and a Big 12 championship.