Texas among top 2 schools for priority transfer PF JT Toppin

The top priority target for Texas basketball in the NCAA Transfer Portal late this spring is former New Mexico Lobos true freshman standout power forward JT Toppin. Texas is looking to fill a need in the frontcourt this year with a quality two-way low post 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 focused on going through the scouting process for the next level while also trimming down his list of top schools.

On3's Joe Tipton reported on May 10 that Texas and the Texas Tech Red Raiders are "the current front runners" in this portal recruitment. The Oklahoma Sooners and TCU Horned Frogs are also reportedly trying to make late pushes for Toppin.

The Kansas State Wildcats and Alabama Crimson Tide are the two schools that missed the cut among the list of four that Toppin originally said were standing out to him early in the portal process.

The 6-foot-9 and 210-pound power forward from Dallas, TX, was named the 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 instrumental in getting New Mexico to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in nearly a decade in 2024. He led the Mountain West in total and offensive rebounds, field goal percentage, and blocks per game last season.

He checks many of the boxes head coach Rodney Terry and the Longhorns are looking for to fill the final scholarship spot on the projected roster entering the SEC next season. Toppin is the type of portal target who could move the needle while immediately upgrading Texas's frontcourt rotation if he were to commit to the Longhorns this offseason.

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