JT Toppin Named Big 12 Player, Newcomer of Year

Texas Tech sophomore JT Toppin has made history by being named both the Big 12 Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, making him the first player in the league's history to achieve this feat in the same season. Toppin, who transferred from New Mexico, averaged 18.1 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, with 14 double-doubles during the season. Houston's Kelvin Sampson was recognized as the top coach, while other awards included Joseph Tugler as defensive player of the year and LJ Cryer as scholar-athlete. The All-Big 12 First Team featured notable players including Caleb Love and Hunter Dickinson, alongside Toppin and Darrion Williams from Texas Tech. The Red Raiders, ranked No. 9, are set to begin the Big 12 Championship with a quarterfinal matchup, having secured a double-bye to the third day of the tournament. The championship game will take place on Saturday at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.