Should JT Toppin Remain in the NBA Draft?

With the draft rapidly approaching, first-round hopeful JT Toppin has a decision to make.

Mar 22, 2024; Memphis, TN, USA; Clemson Tigers forward Jack Clark (5) and New Mexico Lobos forward / Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

In a nebulous draft like this one, very few things can be ascertained beyond a reasonable doubt when projecting forward. The amount of variables from things like intel, injury reports, combine results, and even scrimmages makes doing things like creating boards or mock drafts a more difficult endeavor than in years past.

There is basically only one lock in this draft: Alex Sarr is almost certainly to go first to the Atlanta Hawks. Outside of that, any guess is a valid one.

Given that much of the focus is on the lottery, it's even more important in a class like this to understand the value of later first-round picks. Championships are built through the draft in most instances – at least, drafted players typically make up a good rotation.

Though he may return to college for a big enough NIL payday, Jadyn "JT" Toppin is a physical forward who played for New Mexico last season, winning the Mountain West Conference's Rookie of the Year Award as well as being named to first-team all-MWC.

On the season, he produced 12.4 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game, and continued to show out in the NBA Combine scrimmages, being the only player to record a double-double in the games played that day.

Despite having a couple of flaws, mostly his lack of versatility on the offensive end, Toppin is a surefire rotation player in the NBA, and could be so more quickly than other players his age given his defined role and skillset.

In so many words, Toppin is a plug-and-play forward that possesses high motor, is tough on the glass on both ends, and is a pretty good facsimile of a rim protector despite being just 6-foot-9.

Whether he returns to the college ranks or ends up going pro, JT Toppin will be a name to monitor. May 29 is the deadline to withdraw from the draft process and go back to school.

---

Want to join the discussion? Like Draft Digest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest NBA Draft news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.