While the Texas Tech Red Raiders have started the season strong with a 3-0 record, they are led by one of the most impressive duos in the country. They added one of the top transfers in sophomore forward JT Toppin to team up with their returning junior forward Darrion Williams. As two of the most intriguing returning players in college basketball, they have shown great two-way versatility this season, which could well translate to the next level.

Although they don’t play again until Monday, November 18, let’s take a look at how these two prospects have performed so far and how their games might best fit at the NBA level.

JT Toppin has had a remarkable start to the season for the Red Raiders, as he is currently averaging 22.7 points, nine rebounds, 0.7 assists, 1.7 steals and two blocks in just 24 minutes per game. He had a productive freshman season at New Mexico, but clearly took a leap forward in his sophomore year. His offensive game is very effective, with most of his attempts inside, where he regularly demonstrates a nice combination of length, explosiveness and soft touch. His shooting splits through the first three games of the season are 73.7%/50%/71.4%, all of which are impressive and give hope for long-term development. Although the three-point shot is based on a small sample size, he seems comfortable taking these shots and doesn’t hesitate when given space.

The defensive side of the ball is where he could most easily translate to the NBA. He has excellent timing on tough shots at the rim and is aggressive against stronger opponents. When passing on the perimeter, Toppin moves his feet well and can stay with much faster players. He is still developing but could eventually become one of the most versatile defenders in this class.

Darrion Williams started this season with a much more versatile style of play than in the previous two seasons. Currently averaging 13 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.3 steals, Williams has demonstrated the ability to make an impact all over the court. He has good positional size at 6-foot-6, and while he can serve as a power forward at times in college, he has the skill set to better translate to a wing at the NBA level. Although he has struggled with the three-point shot in a smaller sample size compared to previous seasons, the flashes of shooting improvement are definitely there.

The two aspects of Williams’ game that could create a perfect NBA fit are his positional rebounding and his connection game. He treats the game at a very high level and makes incredibly quick decisions on both ends of the court. He can serve as the primary initiator when needed, but is at his best when making extra passes along the perimeter to ensure the Red Raiders get the best looks possible. His rebounding ability is also very impressive; he has a natural sense of positioning and the aggression to fight for tough boards. While he may not be an elite rebounder for this group or at the next level, wing players who crash the boards effectively can be extremely valuable. By combining these two impressive aspects of his game, Williams has the potential to become a great takeaway option, something NBA teams would love to add to their rosters.

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