The 2024-25 Big 12 Athlete of the Year nominees will be featured in alphabetical order by school starting Monday, July 14, through Wednesday, July 23, at 11 a.m. CT and 2 p.m. CT.
Each institution nominated one male and one female athlete of any classification who competed for their institution during the 2024-25 school year. Student-athletes were required to be in good academic standing and must have participated in a league-sponsored sport.
The 16 full-membership schools that competed during the 2024-25 academic year are eligible.
The winners will be announced Thursday, July 24. Stay tuned to Big12Sports.com and the league’s social media platforms to see the rest of the candidates.
This afternoon’s featured candidates are Texas Tech’s JT Toppin and NiJaree Canady.
Texas Tech Male Athlete of the Year Candidate
JT Toppin, Basketball
So., Dallas, Texas
Accomplishments
- Big 12 Player and Newcomer of the Year while earning a spot on the All-Big 12 First Team.
- Consensus All-America Second Team selection that was named a Jersey Mike’s Naismith Player of the Year Semifinalist.
- Averaged 18.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game; helped lead Texas Tech to the Elite Eight.
- Posted a 4.00 GPA; earned Texas Tech President’s List honors in his first year in Lubbock.
Texas Tech Female Athlete of the Year Candidate
NiJaree Canady, Softball
Jr., Topeka, Kan.
- Big 12 Pitcher of the Year and an All-Big 12 First Team Selection. Named the Most Outstanding Player of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Softball Championship after leading Texas Tech to its first softball regular and postseason titles.
- Honda Sport Award winner for Softball while being named a USA Softball Player of the Year Top 3 finalist. Earned numerous national First Team All-American honors, including the NFCA, D1Softball and Softball America.
- Guided TTU to the Women’s College World Series Finals for the first time in program history. Earned a spot on the WCWS All-Tournament Team.
- CSC Academic All-America Team Member of the Year. Selected to the Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete Team.
2024-25 Big 12 Athletes of the Year Nominees
Arizona - Colton Smith and Devyn Netz
Arizona State - Cam Skattebo and Kenzie Brown
Baylor - Nathaniel Ezekiel and Alexis Brown
BYU - James Corrigan and Lexy Halladay-Lowry
UCF - RJ Harvey and Hannah Lovejoy
Cincinnati - Kerrington Cross and Joleigh Crye
Colorado - Travis Hunter and Jordan Nytes
Houston - J’Wan Roberts and KeAyla Dove
Iowa State - Jaylin Noel and Rachel Joseph
Kansas - Devin Neal and Camryn Turner
K-State - Brendan Mott and Carla Bernat
Oklahoma State - Wyatt Hendrickson and Emma Robbins
TCU - Lui Maxted and Hailey Van Lith
Texas Tech - JT Toppin and NiJaree Canady