Texas basketball’s top priority target in the NCAA Transfer Portal late this spring is former New Mexico Lobos true freshman star power forward JT Toppin. This year, Texas hopes to solve a frontcourt need with a quality two-way low cost player.
Texas basketball among the schools setting the pace for New Mexico transfer PF JT Toppin
After entering the portal and declaring early for the 2024 NBA Draft, Toppin is now focusing on the scouting process for the next level while also narrowing down his list of top colleges.
On May 10, On3’s Joe Tipton claimed that Texas and the Texas Tech Red Raiders are “the current front runners” in the portal recruitment. The Oklahoma Sooners and TCU Horned Frogs are also reportedly attempting to make late moves for Toppin.
The Kansas State Wildcats and Alabama Crimson Tide were the two institutions that did not make the cut from the original list of four that Toppin stated stood out to him early in the portal process.
The 6-foot-9, 210-pound power forward from Dallas, Texas, was named Mountain West Newcomer of the Year in 2023-24 after averaging 12.4 points per game, 9.1 rebounds, 0.6 assists, and 1.9 blocks for New Mexico.
Toppin was important in advancing New Mexico to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in over a decade, in 2024. Last season, he topped the Mountain West in total and offensive rebounds, field goal %, and blocked shots per game.
He checks off many of the boxes that head coach Rodney Terry and the Longhorns are looking for to fill the final scholarship place on the anticipated roster for next season in the SEC. If Toppin commits to the Longhorns this offseason, he has the potential to significantly improve Texas’ frontcourt rotation.
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