JT Toppin Attends Media Day Amid ACL Recovery

The Texas Tech forward continues his rehabilitation journey after suffering a season-ending injury in February.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Basketball

JT Toppin Attends Media Day Amid ACL Recovery

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Texas Tech star forward JT Toppin appeared at Big 12 media days at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, while recovering from a torn ACL. The 6-foot-9 preseason all-Big 12 selection is progressing through a rehabilitation program.

Why it matters

Toppin remains a central figure for Texas Tech after reaching the Elite Eight during the 2024-25 season alongside teammate Darrion Williams. His eventual return to the court is highly anticipated as the team prepares for the new campaign.

Toppin stands 6-foot-9 and enters this season as a unanimous preseason all-Big 12 selection. The team also features Darrion Williams, who is currently eligible for his fifth year of play following a transfer from NC State.

The players

JT Toppin

He is a 6-foot-9 forward for the Texas Tech basketball team who received unanimous preseason all-Big 12 honors.

Darrion Williams

He is a college basketball player who transferred from NC State and is currently eligible to compete via a temporary injunction.

Grant McCasland

He serves as the head coach for the Texas Tech men's basketball team.

Mike Neal

He is the athletic trainer overseeing the rehabilitation process for JT Toppin.

The details

Toppin is undergoing a supervised physical rehabilitation process managed by trainer Mike Neal. Head coach Grant McCasland has stated that he will not impose a hard deadline for the player's return to game action.

February 2026: JT Toppin suffered a season-ending torn ACL.
2024-25 season: Toppin and Darrion Williams helped the team reach the Elite Eight.
October 20, 2026: Toppin participated in Big 12 media days.

Season Trajectory

The availability of Toppin following his recovery will be a defining factor for the team as they look to build upon their 2024-25 Elite Eight tournament run. His return will determine whether the squad can maintain its competitive balance within the Big 12.

Fans should note that Toppin's return to the starting lineup remains pending, which directly affects the team's interior depth and rotation planning. Darrion Williams remains available for play under a temporary injunction, providing stability to the roster during this period.

The takeaway

Recovery from a major ligament injury requires a disciplined, step-by-step approach under professional supervision. Players often benefit from the support of their team during the transition back to full athletic competition.