Two Big 12 Stars Just Crashed the NBA Draft Radar

JT Toppin, a 6‑foot‑9 power forward for Texas Tech, has turned heads in his first season in Lubbock after transferring from New Mexico. A consensus second‑team All‑American and crowned Big 12 Player of the Year, Toppin also earned Newcomer of the Year honors and landed on the All‑Big 12 First Team. His blend of interior scoring, rebounding, and rim protection has given him an NBA‑grade profile worthy of being ranked among the country’s top six prospects.

At No. 8, PJ Haggerty joins the elite list after a remarkable run at Memphis and a transfer to Kansas State. A consensus second‑team All‑American, he averaged over 21 points per game in both the 2023‑24 and 2024‑25 seasons. Haggerty also earned AAC Player of the Year in 2025 and made his mark with standout scoring bursts in the AAC Tournament. His arrival in the Big 12 brings yet another high‑caliber offensive talent to the league.

Their rankings also reinforce the Big 12’s growing reputation as a source of NBA‑ready talent. While Duke and other blue‑blood programs continue to dominate mock drafts, the Jayhawks, Cougars, and Cyclones aren’t the only teams producing returns. Texas Tech and Kansas State, through players like Toppin and Haggerty, are now part of that conversation.

With both players expected to lead their respective teams in the upcoming season, NBA scouts will be watching closely. Toppin will be tasked with guiding the Red Raiders deep into conference play, while Haggerty’s scoring versatility could shift the Wildcats’ ceiling higher. If their early draft positioning holds, each could be among the first wave of Big 12 prospects to make the leap from college to the pros in 2025-26.