Texas Tech announced Wednesday the loss of star JT Toppin for the rest of the season. Rick Scuteri / AP
Texas Tech star forward JT Toppin suffered a season-ending knee injury in Tuesday’s 72-67 road loss to Arizona State, the university announced. An MRI confirmed a torn ACL in Toppin’s right knee. The reigning Big 12 Player of the Year exited late in the second half of Tuesday’s game after falling to the ground on a fast break, clutching his right leg. He had to be helped off the floor and was taken to the locker room soon after.
The 6-foot-8 junior is the team’s leading scorer and rebounder this season, averaging 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds. He had 20 points and 8 boards when he left the game against Arizona State, with his team down 61-56. It was Toppin’s 15th 20-point game of the season.
The No. 13 Red Raiders dropped to 19-7 overall and 9-4 in Big 12 play, falling to fifth in the league standings. But the far greater concern is how the team will fare without its best player for the remainder of a season that had national championship hopes, on the heels of last season’s Elite Eight run.
Toppin returned to Texas Tech this season on a $4 million deal.
Texas Tech’s next game is Saturday at home against Kansas State.
This story will be updated
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