Texas Tech All-American JT Toppin shares why he didn't test the NBA this offseason

Summary

Eye On College Basketball – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Texas Tech All-American JT Toppin shares why he didn't test the NBA this offseason
Release Date: October 22, 2025

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Overview

This episode of CBS Sports’ “Eye On College Basketball” features an in-depth interview with Texas Tech’s preseason All-American JT Toppin. The hosts dig into Toppin’s personal philosophy, his decision to return to college rather than enter the NBA draft, leadership in the locker room, relationships with coaches and fans, and expectations for the upcoming season. Toppin provides candid insight into his mindset, motivations, and what it means to be a high-profile college athlete in the current NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) era.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

Readiness for the Season and Team Mindset

• Excitement to Compete

  • JT Toppin is “so ready” for the season to begin after a long offseason. (00:54)

• Locker Room Mentality

  • Texas Tech, projected as a top-15 team, approaches each day like they are the best in the country—focusing on humility, hard work, and a relentless one-day-at-a-time mentality.

    “Really just practicing like we are the best team in the country ... just taking it day by day, being humble, keeping the work ethic ... letting the work speak for itself.” — JT Toppin (01:28)

Roots of Work Ethic and Self-Belief

• Development of Work Ethic

  • Toppin credits his determination to experiences in high school, working his way up from the freshman team, and being surrounded by players better than him at the time.

    “Just going into high school and seeing all the people that was better than me ... made me just hungry.” — JT Toppin (01:59)

• When He Knew He Could Excel

  • Self-confidence solidified around age 17, entering his senior year.

    “Going to my senior year, I’m like, I could be pretty good at this.” — JT Toppin (02:29)

On-Court Identity and Preparation

• Best Skillset

  • Toppin highlights his “touch” and rebounding as strengths. (02:35)

    “I feel like my touch ... and rebounding.” — JT Toppin (02:41)

• The Rebounding Mindset

  • Physicality and a determined mindset, sometimes boosted by pre-game smelling salts, fuel his approach.

    “You gotta have a mindset for it ... I do smelling socks before the game. Gets me amped up.” — JT Toppin (02:49, 03:11)

• Pre-Game Routine

  • Pre-game hype music: “Back to the South” by Zoom, a nod to his Dallas roots.

    “Cause I grew up in Dallas. So ... you really feel it when you’re from the South.” — JT Toppin (03:41)

Decision to Stay at Texas Tech

• Why Not Test the NBA?
  • Toppin previously tested the NBA waters after his freshman year at New Mexico and felt this offseason was best for more personal development—citing age, family, and a supportive environment in Lubbock.

    “I just felt like I needed more time developing and skill and I’m not in a rush ... Lubbock just feels like home.” — JT Toppin (04:33)

Life as a High-Profile College Athlete & NIL

• Dealing with Publicity and NIL Money
  • Stays grounded by remembering his days as an unranked high school player; emphasizes humility and focusing on pro ambitions.

    “I’ve always been low key, humble ... I didn’t have that five star ... at the end of the day I still got a goal of going pro ... just not letting it get to my head.” — JT Toppin (06:10)

Relationship with Coach Grant McCasland

• Why He Loves Playing for Coach McCasland
  • Values honesty, high expectations, and personal connections with coaching staff.

    “He’s honest ... he’s going to tell you what he thinks. He’s not going to sugarcoat it.” — JT Toppin (07:02) “Everybody in the staff is just unselfish ... they all want to get better and make you better.” — JT Toppin (07:23)

What’s Different About This Year’s Team

• Team Chemistry and Mentality
  • Toppin praises the team’s unselfishness, strong chemistry, and hunger to win, especially among new, younger players and transfers from mid-majors.

    “Everybody does what it takes ... very unselfish this year.” — JT Toppin (07:54)

Processing Last Year’s NCAA Tournament Run

• Highs, Heartbreaks, and Motivation
  • Last season’s emotional swings provided both heartbreak and incredible experience—fueling hunger for greater success.

    “It took a lot to get over that game last year ... it was just a blessing to just experience it ... Now I’m just hungry for more.” — JT Toppin (09:02)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |---|---|---| | 01:28 | “Really just practicing like we are the best team in the country and just doing everything like preparing ourselves like we are the best team in the country. So really just taking it day by day, being humble, keeping the work ethic ...” | JT Toppin | | 01:59 | “Just going into high school and seeing all the people that was better than me ... made me just hungry.” | JT Toppin | | 02:35 | “I feel like my touch.” | JT Toppin | | 03:11 | “I do smelling socks before the game. Gets me amped up.” | JT Toppin | | 03:41 | “Cause I grew up in Dallas. So ... you really feel it when you’re from the South.” | JT Toppin | | 04:33 | “I just felt like I needed more time developing and skill and I’m not in a rush ... Lubbock just feels like home.” | JT Toppin | | 06:10 | “I’ve always been low key, humble ... at the end of the day I still got a goal of going pro ... just not letting it get to my head.” | JT Toppin | | 07:02 | “He’s honest ... he’s going to tell you what he thinks. He’s not going to sugarcoat it.” | JT Toppin | | 07:54 | “Everybody does what it takes ... very unselfish this year.” | JT Toppin | | 09:02 | “It took a lot to get over that game last year ... Now I’m just hungry for more.” | JT Toppin |

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Important Segments & Timestamps

• Readiness for the season and team mindset: 00:43–01:47
• Root of work ethic & self-belief: 01:47–02:32
• Skills, rebounding, pre-game routines: 02:32–03:48
• Decision to not enter NBA Draft, role of NIL: 03:48–06:46
• On Coach McCasland and team chemistry: 06:46–08:30
• Reflection on NCAA tourney heartbreak and motivation: 08:30–09:28

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Episode Tone

Throughout the conversation, Toppin is humble, candid, and focused—a quietly confident competitor shaped by hard work and his underdog background. The hosts maintain an energetic, upbeat, and insider-focused tone, pressing Toppin for details that illuminate both his personality and the inner workings of high-level college basketball.

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For listeners seeking a thoughtful look at the college game’s changing landscape, the character of a modern star, and inside access to Texas Tech’s high expectations, this episode delivers concise, insightful, and authentic commentary straight from one of the nation’s top players.

Transcript

[Podcast Host]

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[Interviewer]

Preseason All American JT Toppin joins us here on Ion College basketball. It's been a media whirlwind. How ready are you for actual games that count?

[JT Toppin]

Oh, I'm so ready. I'm really just excited for the season. It's been a long off season, so I'm just ready to get out there and play.

[Interviewer]

Like you're ready, man. Just, you know, this all that's talking, season projecting, forecasting in the locker room. You know, you guys are projected top 15 team, obviously good enough to compete to win the Big 12. Make a push, we'll get to the NCAA tournament last year. But does that stuff come up a lot? Just, you know, casual conversation? I think I heard you say earlier, like, listen, our goal here is to win it all. So just take us inside your locker room and how much the big picture goals in March actually are discussed on a day to day or week to week basis.

[JT Toppin]

Really, we just take it one day at a time because that's all you could do. But really just practicing like we are the best team in the country and just doing everything like preparing ourselves like we are the best team in the country. So really just taking it day by day, being humble, keeping the work ethic because you gotta work for it and yeah, just letting the work speak for itself.

[Interviewer]

When you say work ethic, who taught you that? Or have you always had it? When did it change for you in terms of having that? That kind of. Was it after you got to college? Was it put into you when you're 10 years old? Where does that stem from?

[JT Toppin]

I think just like going into high school and seeing all the people that was better than me. I feel like that really instilled it. Like I had to see it for myself and had to like play freshman team, play jv. Like I had to work my way up. So really just high school, going to a good high school and seeing all the people that's better than me, like, made me just hungry.

[Interviewer]

Okay, when did you know? Maybe it was high school. Maybe it's after you got to college. But when did you know you could be as good as you are? Now, how old?

[JT Toppin]

Probably 17.

[Interviewer]

Okay.

[JT Toppin]

Yeah. Going to my senior year, I'm like, I could be pretty good at this.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. What's your best skill on the court?

[JT Toppin]

I feel like my touch.

[Interviewer]

Your touch over every other attribute. You think your, Your touch with the. Your touch with the ball is at.

[JT Toppin]

The top of the list and rebounding.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[JT Toppin]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

Okay. What's it take to be a good rebounder?

[JT Toppin]

I don't know. It takes a mindset. You gotta have a mindset for it. Like you're gonna get every rebound and you gotta be very physical.

[Interviewer]

How do you, how do you fight? How do you fight through that? When sometimes you're playing guys who are super physical, you can get tired. Like, what is it, what does it take to unlock that?

[JT Toppin]

It just makes me mad. Or I'll take like I do smelling socks like before the game.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[JT Toppin]

Gets me amped up. Yeah. And just makes me want to get every rebound. And just when I see somebody like under the rim and I want to box out, it just. I'm ready to hit them.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[JT Toppin]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

Okay. What pre game AirPods music routine like you got us just. You have a go to or just they mix it up. What's Take me into earphone here this year.

[JT Toppin]

Back to the south by Zoom.

[Interviewer]

Okay.

[JT Toppin]

Yeah. It's gonna get me amped up.

[Interviewer]

And why is that? Like, why that. Why that choice?

[JT Toppin]

Cause I grew up in Dallas. So like, just being from the south, like, just, you really feel it when you're from the South. So. Yeah.

[Interviewer]

Okay. You were by far the most accomplished player that had an NBA profile that did not seriously go through the pre draft process. Obviously, you know, new, new day and age here, got yourself a pretty awesome payday because of it. I know you've talked about a little bit more, but for our audience here for cbs, let's just dive into it a little bit more. Was this something that you felt was going to happen? If, you know, we checked in in early March, before you even played in the tournament, did you feel like this, you were coming back no matter what, or a season ends the way it does and you're thinking, maybe I'll go into the NBA. And then, you know, people approach, you say, hey, actually you stay here. We're going to be able to pay you millions of dollars. What was your thought process and why did you not even go through that NBA pre draft process, which so many other players in your position obviously have and would do?

[JT Toppin]

Yeah, I went through the NBA process my freshman year after New Mexico, so I already knew what that Looked like, knew what that felt like. And nah, I didn't think I was coming back March. I was like, I'm gonna, you know, enter my name in the draft, do the whole process. But really just. I just felt like I needed more time developing and skill and I'm not in a rush. And especially with my age and my family, I was the best decision for me. And I just wanted to bet on myself. And Lubbock just feels like they make me feel like home. And the relationship I got with coach Mack and just the fans, it just, it wasn't. It made it easier to come back.

[Interviewer]

You know, what's it like playing for those fans in that arena, in that city?

[JT Toppin]

It's crazy. They go all out for you. And so I try to go all out for them because just the support you get from them, it's. You don't see it a lot.

[Interviewer]

So what is it like for you to be one of these high profile college athletes in football or basketball who, regardless of how specifically accurate the number may be, you're a high profile athlete and the amount of money that was being put at your feet is publicly known. How do you handle that? Take me into your life. Just a little bit of what it's like to find yourself in that position where two years ago you could not have imagined this would be the case. So what's it like to be UJT Toppin and not just being the guy on a final four contender, but being a guy where now fans are going to be like, he's awesome, but also he's making a ton of money and they're going to view you as though you're like an NBA player in Lubbock.

[JT Toppin]

Yeah, really? I just, I've always been low key, humble because I ain't. I wasn't ranked coming out of high school, you know, I didn't have that five star, you know. So really just thinking about those moments just made me stay grounded, like, because I've always been a humble dude, man. Yeah. I don't really let it get to my head. Cause at the end of the day, I still got a goal of going pro. So, like, you can't let it get to your head. I'm still in college, you know what I'm saying? So really just working every day and just not letting it get to my head, staying humble. Because end of the day we all got a goal, we all got dreams. And I love the support, though. I embrace it. I love the support that I get from Lubbock and the fans and all.

[Interviewer]

That why do you love playing for Grant McCaslin? What is it about him? Personality wise? Let's dodge all the cliches. What is it about him that just. That made you want to come back and made you want to even choose to play at the school? Coming out, you know, coming out of Mexico? What is it about him?

[JT Toppin]

Oh, he's just, he's honest. Like, very honest. Like he's going to tell you what he thinks. He's not going to sugarcoat it. I like coaches like that. I like coaches that push you into your max, push you to the best. Like, make you want to be the best version of yourself. So just the fact that I could trust him and I know some of his staff from when I was younger. I know Coach Buff, he used to run the tournaments for me and my AAU team. So just the connections I got with the staff, it just, it makes it easy. And I just got a good relationship with every coach. So, like, everybody in the staff is just unselfish. They all want to, they all want to get better and make you better. So it just made it easy to transition for sure.

[Interviewer]

What's something about this team that you know is going to show on the court, you know, this in November and December that you're seeing in practices that fans haven't seen, but just, you know, kind of give them a sneak preview of just like, get ready, because this is, this is going to be a dominant feature that maybe is a little bit different or an upgrade from last season.

[JT Toppin]

I feel like everybody does what it takes. Like, doesn't mind doing what it takes to win. Like everybody doesn't mind preparing. Everybody's unselfish. The chemistry is good. We got a lot of people that came from mid major, so like, they know what it feels like. Just because I came from mid major, so I just feel like the chemistry is there. We got a younger team, which is, I guess, good because they're willing to do whatever, you know what I'm saying? They don't, they don't care about their future. I mean, they care, but like, they're just willing to do whatever and willing to win and willing to make. Do whatever for their teammates. So I just feel like they're very unselfish this year.

[Interviewer]

No team went through bigger swings in the tournament last year than you guys in that second weekend. Some just high highs and then obviously massive heartbreak on the doorstep of the final four. How do you encapsulate phys? Physically, spiritually, emotionally, what it's like to live through the greatest sporting event in the way that you did. And I imagine if we could burrow into your stomach there, there must be just a fire burning to make sure that you get to that next step this season.

[JT Toppin]

Yeah, for sure. It took a lot to get over that game last year. Obviously relive those moments, but it really was just a blessing to just experience it because my first year we lost the first round. So just going to the lite, experiencing all the March Madness stuff, it's just crazy. And now like people actually know my name. So it's like, it's just amazing. I really just blessed and I really just glad that I got to experience that. And now I'm just hungry for more.

[Interviewer]

Okay, that's J.T. toppin, one of the best players in America here on Ion college basketball. I will be at the Illinois game. So we got more talking to do, more catching up to do. That's going to be a big one, man. Early in the season for sure. That's going to be a good one. Thank you so much for joining us and good luck this season. J.T.

[JT Toppin]

Thank you. Yes, sir.

[Interviewer]

You can be anything this I know.

[Podcast Host]

Paramount Podcasts.

[Cash Cnajad]

What'S up everyone? It's the counselor of Cash Cnajad from the Early Edge, a daily sports betting show powered by Sportsline and part of the CBS Sports Podcast Network. If you're looking for the best bets, picks and analysis for the day in sports, we're your one stop shop. We're locked in every day with NFL bets and player props, college football picks and so much more. Download and follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere podcasts are found. Subscribe to the SportsLine YouTube page to watch us live at 10am Eastern Time every weekday. Make sure to turn on those notifications so you don't miss a single pick all season long.

[Interviewer]

Good luck.