LUBBOCK, TX – Texas Tech men’s basketball is enjoying a rare moment in the national spotlight, becoming the only program in the country with two players – Christian Anderson and JT Toppin – named to the John R. Wooden Award Late Midseason Top 20 Watch List. The announcement, made on , recognizes the exceptional performances of both Red Raiders and positions them as frontrunners for college basketball’s most prestigious individual honor.
The Wooden Award, presented by Principal, considers candidates for both the Wooden Award All-American Team and the Wooden Award Most Outstanding Player. The selection of Anderson and Toppin highlights a season of remarkable achievement for Texas Tech, and underscores the program’s ascent as a national contender.
Leading the charge is JT Toppin, a junior from Dallas, who currently leads the nation with an impressive 207 made field goals. His scoring prowess is equally notable, averaging 21.8 points per game, placing him sixth nationally. Toppin’s all-around game is further evidenced by his 10.5 rebounds per game, ranking ninth in the country, and his 14 double-doubles this season. He’s on pace to achieve a feat only accomplished once before in Big 12 history: averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds for an entire season, a benchmark previously set by Blake Griffin of Oklahoma.
Toppin’s accomplishments extend beyond this season. He has already amassed 1,526 points, 868 rebounds, and 151 blocked shots in 91 career games. Last season, he earned Consensus Second Team All-America and Big 12 Player of the Year honors, and currently boasts 45 career double-doubles – the second-most among all active players. He has also been recognized three times this season as the Big 12 Player of the Week.
Complementing Toppin’s dominance is the playmaking ability of sophomore guard Christian Anderson. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Anderson is currently third nationally in assists, dishing out an impressive 7.7 per game. He also contributes significantly to the scoring column, averaging 19.3 points per game, ranking sixth in the Big 12. Anderson has recorded six double-doubles this season and has demonstrated exceptional court vision with seven games of double-figure assists.
Anderson’s shooting efficiency is also noteworthy, connecting on 43.6% of his three-point attempts while making an average of 3.41 three-pointers per game. He has twice been named the Big 12 Player of the Week this season. Both Anderson and Toppin are also on the watch lists for positional awards: Toppin for the Malone Award (power forward) and Anderson for the Cousy Award (point guard).
The presence of both players on the Wooden Award list is a testament to the balanced attack and overall strength of the Texas Tech roster. The Red Raiders are the only team in the nation to have multiple players recognized on this prestigious list, joining an elite group of programs with individual stars driving their success.
The other 18 players on the list include Darius Acuff (Arkansas), Cameron Boozer (Duke), Jaden Bradley (Arizona), AJ Dybansta (BYU), Jeremy Fears (Michigan State), Kingston Flemings (Houston), PJ Haggerty (K-State), Thomas Hugh (Florida), Graham Ike (Gonzaga), Joshua Jefferson (Iowa State), Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan), Darryn Peterson (Kansas), Labaron Philon (Alabama), Braden Smith (Purdue), Bennet Stirtz (Iowa), Tyler Tanner (Vanderbilt), Keaton Wagler (Illinois), and Caleb Wilson (North Carolina). Eight of the twenty players are from the Big 12 conference.
The selection process for the Wooden Award involves a panel of national college basketball experts. Players not initially included on the late midseason list remain eligible for consideration on the National Ballot, which will feature 15 top players who meet the award’s qualifications. Voting will take place during the NCAA Tournament, with voters ranking their top 10 players based on performance, team contribution, and character.
The Wooden Award boasts a rich history, with past winners including basketball legends like Larry Bird (1979), Michael Jordan (1984), Tim Duncan (1997), and Kevin Durant (2007). Last year’s recipient was Cooper Flagg of Duke.
The Wooden Award All-American Team will be announced during the week of the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight. The award ceremony, celebrating its fiftieth year, will be held at the Los Angeles Athletic Club on , honoring the winners, All-Americans, and the recipient of the Legends of Coaching Award, Matt Painter of Purdue.
Texas Tech will return to action on , hosting Colorado in a “Throwback Night” matchup at the United Supermarkets Arena. Following that game, the Red Raiders will face a challenging road test against No. 1 Arizona, with ESPN’s College GameDay set to broadcast from Tucson ahead of the highly anticipated contest.
