LOCKED DOWN: Top 5-Star Best Guard JT Toppin Decommits From Texas Tech Raiders, Flip Commitment to Missouri Tigers with 3-Years Deal After Rejecting Notre Dame and Ohio…….

LOCKED DOWN: 5-Star Guard JT Toppin Stuns Texas Tech, Flips Commitment to Missouri Tigers with 3-Year Deal After Rejecting Notre Dame, Ohio State

In a shocking turn of events that has upended the college basketball recruiting landscape, 5-star guard JT Toppin has officially decommitted from Texas Tech and announced his commitment to the University of Missouri. The decision comes after weeks of speculation, intense recruitment battles, and aggressive NIL pitches from several powerhouse programs—including Notre Dame and Ohio State.

Toppin, widely regarded as the No. 1 guard in the 2025 class and a projected one-and-done NBA lottery pick, initially pledged his loyalty to Texas Tech early last year. At the time, he cited the Red Raiders’ up-tempo system, player development track record, and deep-rooted fan base as key reasons behind his decision.

But behind the scenes, momentum began to shift during the spring recruiting period. Sources close to the situation reveal that Missouri head coach Dennis Gates made Toppin a top priority—offering a unique 3-year NIL development package designed not just to prepare him for the NBA, but to make him a brand unto himself.

The deal reportedly includes multi-platform media exposure, national brand sponsorships, and a custom player branding initiative—valued at nearly $4.8 million over three years. Toppin, after taking an official visit to Columbia last month, was said to be blown away by Missouri’s facilities, coaching staff, and vision for his future.

“Missouri felt like home. They treated me like family, and their plan for me goes beyond basketball,” Toppin said in a statement. “This wasn’t just about money or hype—it was about building something real. I’m ready to make history with the Tigers.”

Toppin’s flip comes as a gut-punch to Texas Tech fans, who viewed him as a future cornerstone of their program. It also brings an end to a dramatic recruitment that included late pushes from Notre Dame and Ohio State. Both schools reportedly offered significant NIL packages and a clear path to lead their backcourt, but in the end, Missouri’s strategic approach won out.

Missouri, which has surged on the recruiting trail under Gates, now adds a generational talent to a roster already brimming with upside. With Toppin at the helm, the Tigers are expected to compete for an SEC title and potentially a Final Four run in the coming seasons.

Recruiting analysts have called this one of the most impactful flips in recent memory—not just for what it means on the court, but for what it says about the changing nature of college basketball recruitment in the NIL era.

As for Texas Tech, the Red Raiders will now look to rebound quickly on the recruiting trail, but the loss of Toppin leaves a massive void. The message is clear: in today’s high-stakes recruiting world, no commitment is safe until the ink is dry.

Missouri, meanwhile, just locked down a superstar—and possibly the new face of college basketball.