JT Toppin's season-ending ACL echoes Jayden Quaintance's Kentucky NIL Nightmare

There are few players in the country as impactful as JT Toppin at Texas Tech. He was averaging 21 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, and a steal per game when disaster struck. Against Arizona State, Toppin was on the break, driving to the basket when he went up for a layup attempt. The contact with the Arizona State defender caused an awkward step. He went down immediately and screamed in pain.

His season is now over, that is certain. But what isn't is what happens next year? You see, JT and Texas Tech were reportedly working on a deal for him to return to the Red Raiders and make him the highest-paid men's college basketball player.

Kentucky's experience with Jayden Quaintance will definitely have an impact on what happens next.

Will Texas Tech risk NIL money an athlete with a torn ACL?

It was ironic that the injury occurred against Arizona State, as that is where Quaintance was playing when he tore his ACL last year. JQ's injury happened on February 23rd 2025, while Toppin's happened February 16th 2026.

An ACL typically requires 9-12 months of recovery, putting Toppin back around the same time Quaintance came back this year. But that's the early end, and when athletes rush back, complications often arise just as they did with JQ.

After playing in 4 games from late December to early January, Quaintance experienced knee swelling, and he has not been seen since. Mark Pope confirmed Thursday that he has not been practicing and a return is unlikely. No

And now all that NIL money that was tied up with him is sitting on the bench when Kentucky needs a player. On3 has a valuation of $1.9-2.2 million for Quaintance. Toppin was reportedly earning around $2.8 million this season, and that was only going to be higher next season. But now can Texas Tech commit that type of money to a player that may not play until conference play starts, if at all?

That is a question that will undoubtedly be impacted by the Jayden Quaintance experience. Can you afford to have a huge portion of your NIL tied up in a maybe, even a super-talented one? I don't think you can. I hate it for the young man; he is an elite player, but as the saying goes, the most important ability is availability.

Had Jayden Quaintance been healthy and been an impact player, I think Texas Tech probably risks it. And, let me be clear, I do think some team will risk it. There will be a team out there willing to take the chance on a player who can help you win a title. But I don't think it will be for the amount of money that was going to be there before the injury.

Look at what college basketball insider Kevin Sweeney had to say:

Would you risk it?