JT Toppin Named Mountain West Freshman of the Week

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – For the second consecutive week, New Mexico’s JT Toppin was named Mountain West Freshman of the Week, the conference announced Monday. Toppin was honored after helping the Lobos to three victories last week at the Ball Dawgs Classic in Las Vegas.

In the Lobos’ wins over Toledo, Rice and Pepperdine, Toppin averaged 17.0 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 81% (21-26) from the floor. In the victory over Toledo, Toppin set career highs of 27 points and 11 rebounds, making his first 11 field goal attempts before finishing 11-12 for the third-best single-game field goal percentage (min. 10 FGs). His 27 points were most by a Lobo freshman in 13 years and he became the first UNM freshman ever to post consecutive double-doubles.

In the win over Rice, Toppin had 13 points (6-8 FG) and six rebounds, while setting career highs on the defensive end with four blocks and three steals. In the tournament finale, he had 11 points and eight rebounds.

Toppin is the first Lobo to earn Mountain West Freshman of the Week recognition multiple times since the conference debuted the award during the 2021-22 season.

New Mexico (5-1) begin a three-game homestand on Wednesday when it hosts Louisiana Tech (5-1) at The Pit. Game time is 7 p.m. and tickets are on sale at GoLobos.com/tickets.