Texas Tech basketball newcomer JT Toppin on preseason award watchlist

There's no question that the most high-profile addition of the offseason for the Texas Tech basketball program was New Mexico transfer JT Toppin. Now a sophomore, the Dallas native is considered one of the top power forwards in the nation and he's been added to the Karl Malone Award watchlist.

Last season with the Lobos, Toppin posted 12.4 points and 9.1 rebounds per game as a true freshman. What's more, he led the Mountain West Conference in rebounds, offensive rebounds, field goal percentage, blocks, and defensive rating.

Now, he is set to be one of the centerpieces of the Red Raider roster in 2024-25. And he could be the best power forward in the Big 12, if not the country.

The Karl Malone Award is named after the Class of 2010 Hall of Famer and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player. Other players on the preseason watchlist for the award are Grant Nelson (Alabama), Trey Townsend (Arizona), Johni Broome (Auburn), Norchad Omier (Baylor), Ian Schieffelin (Clemson), Graham Ike (Gonzaga), J'Wan Roberts (Houston), Will Riley (Illinois), Malik Reneau (Indiana), Coleman Hawkins (Kansas State), Julian Reese (Maryland), Cade Tyson (North Carolina), Caden Pierce (Princeton), Bryce Hopkins (Providence), Donnie Freeman (Syracuse), Yaxel Lendeborg (UAB), Alex Karaban (UConn), Eric Dixon (Villanova) and Great Osobor (Washington).

Toppin was ranked as the No. 11 transfer of the offseason by ESPN.com. That came after he was named the Mountain West Freshman of the year.

It is the second season in a row that Tech will feature the MWC Freshman of the Year as a key transfer. In 2023-24, Nevada transfer Darrion Williams came to Tech after winning the award and he proceeded to take his game to a new level earning All-Big 12 third-team honors after putting up 11.4 points, 2.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.

Toppin is also the second Red Raider named to a preseason award watchlist. Minnesota transfer point guard Elijah Hawkins was named to the Bob Kousy Award preseason list earlier this week.

Texas Tech begins the season on Tuesday, November 5th against Bethune-Cookman. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. Central and when the games begin, Toppin will likely become a fan-favorite.