Exclusive: Why these two TCU basketball standouts opted to return to Fort Worth
TCU men’s basketball will enter 2026 with high expectations thanks to the return of two of its star players from last season’s NCAA Tournament run.
Forwards Micah Robinson and Xavier Edmonds elected to return to Fort Worth for another season after helping the Horned Frogs advance to the second round of the tournament. TCU defeated Ohio State in the first round and then fell to Duke one game away from the Sweet 16.
TCU will have a chance to reach the program’s first Sweet 16 thanks to the return of the duo.
Edmonds was a breakout star last year after arriving from junior college. A season-ending injury to Malick Diallo forced Edmonds into the starting lineup, and he responded by becoming a third-team All-Big 12 selection after averaging 12.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.
For Edmonds, it was a no-brainer to return for his senior season.
“The success we had this past season, the relationships I built,” Edmonds said of the key factors in his decision. “The culture we built, I think that’s one of the biggest things. I just didn’t want to leave and just have to start over. I love what we had going here as a program.”
Robinson was also a catalyst in TCU making the NCAA Tournament, as his insertion into the starting lineup against a top-five Iowa State team in February was the start of the last-season surge that took TCU off the bubble.
Robinson scored team-high 18 points in each tournament game and took a major leap from his freshman season. Like with Edmonds, it wasn’t a difficult choice to return.
“It wasn’t a hard decision for me,” Robinson said. “The coaching staff has provided everything I’ve needed up until now. Why leave and go to a different situation when everything’s kind of in place for me. I feel like it was a no-brainer coming back.”
On-court success played a major role in both players’ decisions, but the impact of the Fort Worth community can’t be overlooked either.
On Monday evening, Robinson hosted his second basketball camp at the East Library and Recreation Center in Arlington for a local AAU team. Having the opportunity to host these types of events in a community he knows so well was also big for Robinson, and he especially appreciated Edmonds helping out as a counselor.
“It definitely means a lot, I still remember whenever I was watching guys like Tyrese Maxey growing up. I’m in that position now,” Robinson said. “It allows me to use my platform to give back. I remember last year we had five or 10 kids, this year we had 20. It meant a lot [having Edmonds here]. I’ve gotten really close with him, that’s my guy. I’m willing to do anything for him.”
Along with Robinson and Edmonds, TCU also returns point guard Brock Harding and guard Tanner Toolson. TCU is one of just 14 high-major teams to return three or more significant contributors, according to KenPom.
Other teams on that list include Duke, Florida, Illinois and UConn. That’s pretty good company to be in.
“Those are huge guys, guys that were big in our rotation, guys that know the ins and outs of our offense and defense,” Edmonds said. “I definitely feel like it gives us more of a head start than we had last season around this time.”
Robinson agreed with Edmonds’ perspective and also thinks that chemistry could be the key to another successful season.
“That’s huge, because I feel like roster retention in college basketball is not something that’s as common,” Robinson said. “When it does happen, we’ve seen the teams and the benefits it has for them. I feel like us having that continuity within us is gonna make it a lot easier to transition the new guys.”
Speaking of new guys, the Horned Frogs brought in seven new players to replace outgoing players like David Punch and Liutaurus Lelevicius. Punch transferred to Texas, while Lelevicius landed at Clemson.
While TCU wanted to keep both players, the influx of new talent will allow Edmonds and Robinson to move into new roles.
For Edmonds, the arrival of 6-foot-11 center Luke Bamgboye, 7-footer Ryan Hunt and 6-9 forward DJ Thomas will allow him to play his more natural position of power forward after playing center at 6-8 last season.
“From what I know, I’m starting at the four this year. I know that gives us a lot of flexibility, me being at the four,” Edmonds said. “We have some rim protectors, guys that are going to be on the low block. So it gives us a chance to play a lot of in-and-out to take advantages of teams.”
With Punch gone, Robinson is now the longest-tenured player on the roster and will be tasked with becoming a leader in the locker room.
He chuckled at the thought of being considered a veteran now, but is embracing the new leadership role.
“I’m definitely looking to take that challenge on. [Assistant head coach Tony Benford], he’s been on me ever since the spring about how I’m going to have to step up and be a vocal [leader],” Robinson said. “Coming back for my third year in the program, I feel like that’s a challenge I’m willing to accept.”
TCU began summer workouts on Monday and is approaching finalizing its non-conference schedule for next season.
