NCAA Basketball: Top 25 team winners from 2024 transfer portal results

19. Texas Tech Red Raiders

The team had one of the biggest transfer losses this offseason in Pop Isaacs, who led them in scoring while starting point guard Joe Toussaint (12.2 ppg and 4.3 apg) has run out of eligibility. They replaced him with one of the top passers in NCAA Basketball last season in Elijah Hawkins, who averaged 9.5 ppg and 7.5 apg at Minnesota, good for third in the country.

Pairing Hawkins in the backcourt is Kevin Overton, a 6’5 guard transfer from Drake. He averaged 11.3 ppg on 35% shooting from deep as a freshman, including 10 games of at least 15 points. With Kerwin Walton and Chance McMillian returning, this should be one of the better backcourts in the Big 12.

The key to Texas Tech’s success next season is the impact of JT Toppin. He’s a 6’9 forward transfer from New Mexico, who earned Mountain West Rookie of the Year honors. The standout freshman averaged 12.4 ppg and 9.1 rpg, as well as nearly two blocks a game, and is an early 2025 NBA Draft prospect to watch. 

The Red Raiders did well with the prior Mountain West ROY, as Darrion Williams had a good sophomore campaign for them last season. With him, Toppin, and Pittsburgh transfer center Federiko Federiko on board, their frontcourt will be difficult to score on.