Team Trae Young alum JT Toppin is heading back home to the Lone Star State, making it official with a transfer to Texas Tech University.

JT spent his freshman season at New Mexico University, where he earned Mountain West Conference co-Freshman of the Year honors, nearly averaging a double-double with 12.4 points and 9.1 rebounds per game.

Toppin was money when he shot the ball and his 62.3 percent shooting from the field ranked 13th in NCAA Division Il. He was also a huge presence on the defensive end for the Lobos as the 6-9 power forward averaged 1.9 blocks per game, which ranked inside the top 40 in Division I.

New Mexico went 26-10 this season and won the Mountain West Tournament to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time in a decade. They lost to Clemson in the first round.

As he weighed out his options following his freshman season, JT entered the transfer portal but also made an appearance at the NBA Draft Combine earlier this month in Chicago, where he impressed scouts with his ability as a shooter, finisher and defender.

Ultimately though, JT decided another year at the collegiate level was best for him and Texas Tech in Lubbock, just a few hours west of his hometown of Dallas, was the place to continue his education.

He joins a Texas Tech team that went 23-11 last year, finished fourth in the Big 12 and also participated in the NCAA Tournament. The Red Raiders have made the tournament in six of the last nine seasons, including a National runner-up finish in 2019 and a Sweet 16 berth in 2022.