Ex-Texas Tech SG Pop Isaacs Has Lawsuit Dismissed After Sexual Assault Allegations
Apr 24, 2024
KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 15: Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Pop Isaacs (2) brings the ball up court in the first half of a Big 12 tournament semifinal game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Houston Cougars on Mar 15, 2024 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The civil lawsuit alleging former Texas Tech basketball player Richard "Pop" Isaacs sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl in November was dismissed, per a Wednesday report from ESPN's Myron Medcalf.
"The parties to the lawsuit and Title IX complaint have agreed to dismiss all claims that have, or could have been, alleged as against one another," an attorney for Isaacs said in a statement. "Pop loved his time in Lubbock and being part of the Red Raider family. He thanks Coach [Grant] McCasland, the entire staff, and everyone involved with the university for supporting him throughout his time at Texas Tech."
The parents of the girl filed the lawsuit in January and alleged Isaacs sexually assaulted her during a team trip to the Bahamas. Texas Tech was in the Bahamas to participate in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament.
While the age of consent in the Bahamas is 16, the lawsuit alleged that the girl could not grant consent because she was intoxicated.
In January, Medcalf reported the lawsuit was seeking $1 million in damages. He also noted it alleged she "attempted to fight him off" but was intoxicated from alcohol that was provided by a Texas Tech booster.
Isaacs denied the allegations through an attorney and said he didn't have any sexual contact with her.
According to Medcalf, Texas Tech said it reported the allegations to the Title IX office and was told on multiple occasions when it reached out for an update that he remained "in good standing" with the school.
As a result, Isaacs played the entire season 2023-24 and was never suspended. There were also no criminal complaints filed.
He has since entered the transfer portal and is no longer with the Red Raiders.
Texas Tech Guard Pop Isaacs Accused of Sexually Assaulting Minor in Civil Suit
Jan 6, 2024
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 30: Pop Isaacs #2 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders is seen during the game against the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse on November 30, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Texas Tech guard Pop Isaacs has been accused in a civil lawsuit of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl during the team's November trip to Paradise Island, Bahamas, for the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament.
The lawsuit was filed in a district court in Lubbock County, Texas, by the parents of the girl, who are requesting $1 million in damages, Medcalf reported.
The age of consent is 16 in the Bahamas.
The plaintiffs say their daughter was sexually assaulted while she was intoxicated and after she "attempted to fight him off," according to the lawsuit described by Medcalf.
The lawsuit alleges the incident occurred after a "Texas Tech booster" purchased alcohol for Isaacs and another Texas Tech player, per Medcalf.
Texas Tech officials have known about the lawsuit since at least Dec. 14, when Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland was contacted by the plaintiffs, according to the lawsuit.
Isaacs turned 20 in August and is in his second year at Texas Tech.
Mark Adams Steps Down as Texas Tech Head Coach After Racially Insensitive Comments
Mar 9, 2023
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - MARCH 04: Head coach Mark Adams of the Texas Tech Red Raiders looks on during the first half of the college basketball game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at United Supermarkets Arena on March 04, 2023 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Mark Adams, who was suspended for the use of racially insensitive comments, is no longer the head coach of the Texas Tech men's basketball team.
Brian Hamilton of The Athletic relayed a statement revealing Adams stepped down from his position:
"My lifelong goal was to help and be a positive influence on my players, and to be a part of the Texas Tech men's basketball team," Adams said as part of the statement. "However, both the University and I believe this incident has become a distraction for the Texas Tech men's basketball team and the University, which I care about so deeply."
ESPN's Jeff Borzello and Pete Thamel reported Sunday that Texas Tech suspended Adams for the use of an "inappropriate, unacceptable, and racially insensitive comment" while reportedly trying to encourage a player to be more open to coaching.
The school said he made the comment when he "referenced Bible verses about workers, teachers, parents, and slaves serving their masters."
While Borzello and Thamel cited a source who said Adams apologized to the team, the former head coach told Jeff Goodman of Stadium he didn't apologize but only explained the situation to the players.
"One of my coaches said it bothered the player," Adams said. "I explained to them. I didn't apologize."
Goodman also reported on another incident that happened this year in which the head coach spit on a player. Adams explained it by saying he had a bad cough and accidentally got saliva on the player, but another person alleged the coach said, "I can spit on you whenever I want to."
The 2022-23 campaign was Adams' second as the head coach of the Red Raiders. He was previously the director of basketball operations and an assistant coach.
Texas Tech was unable to build on last season's Sweet 16 appearance and went 16-16 overall and 5-13 in Big 12 play. It lost 78-62 to West Virginia in Wednesday's Big 12 tournament game, finishing its season with four consecutive losses.
Texas Tech Men's CBB HC Mark Adams Suspended for Racist Comment Toward Player
Mar 5, 2023
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 11: Head coach Mark Adams of the Texas Tech Red Raiders looks to the bench during the second half of the college basketball game against the Kansas State Wildcats at United Supermarkets Arena on February 11, 2023 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Texas Tech suspended men's basketball coach Mark Adams for "the use of an inappropriate, unacceptable and racially insensitive comment last week."
CJ Moore of The Athletic shared the announcement:
Texas Tech has just announced suspension of Mark Adams for an inappropriate racially-sensitive comment he made to a player last week. pic.twitter.com/ymNh5aQ51h
"On Friday, Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt was made aware of an incident regarding a coaching session between Adams and a member of the men's basketball team," the announcement read.
"Adams was encouraging the student-athlete to be more receptive to coaching and referenced Bible verses about workers, teachers, parents and slaves serving their masters. Adams immediately addressed this with the team and apologized."
Adams—who said he explained the situation but did not apologize—told Jeff Goodman of Stadium, "I was quoting the scripture. One of my coaches said it bothered the player."
Goodman noted Texas Tech is also investigating a separate incident from this season in which the head coach spit on a player.
Adams told Goodman he had a cough and accidentally got saliva on the player, but another source said the head coach responded by saying, "I can spit on you whenever I want to."
Yet Adams said, "I don't remember even saying that."
This is Adams' second season as the head coach of Texas Tech, although he was previously the director of basketball operations and an assistant coach with his alma mater. The Red Raiders are just 16-15 overall and 5-13 in the Big 12 after finishing their regular season with a three-game losing streak.
ESPN's Pete Thamel and Jeff Borzello reported the coach was "already under pressure from influential people around the program ... due to Texas Tech's disappointing season."
The Red Raiders face West Virginia on Wednesday in the first round of the Big 12 tournament.
Former WCBB Coach Marlene Stollings, Texas Tech Settle Discrimination Lawsuit
Aug 12, 2022
COLLEGE PARK, MD - FEBRUARY 28: Head coach Marlene Stollings of the Minnesota Golden Gophers watches the game against the Maryland Terrapins at the Xfinity Center on February 28, 2016 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
Former Texas Tech women's basketball head coach Marlene Stollings has reached a settlement with the school following a discrimination and retaliation lawsuit.
Per USA Today's Josh Peters, the settlement came after Stollings and the university filed a joint motion to settle on Wednesday and a judge dismissed the case on Thursday.
Stollings filed a lawsuit against the school and athletic director Kirby Hocutt in October 2020, two months after she was fired by the program. She said the firing was due to "discriminatory biases against female coaches" and also accused the school of fraudulent inducement, fraud, breach of contract and defamation.
Texas Tech announced Stollings' firing on Aug. 6, 2020, one day after USA Today's Jori Epstein and Daniel Libit published a report with allegations of abuse and a toxic culture during her two seasons with the program.
In the report, multiple Red Raiders players said Stollings and the coaching staff would call players "disgusting," "trash," "fat pig," "grossly out of shape" and "grossly disproportional."
Three international players told Epstein and Libit they were targeted by coaches and ridiculed over their English language skills.
One of the players, Marcella Lamark, who is from Brazil, said Stollings called her "dangerous" to teammates and gave her instructions to eat and train in isolation.
According to Peter, Stollings argued in her lawsuit against the school that "two internal reviews conducted by the school before the investigation was published cleared her of the allegations."
Peter noted Stollings was under contract through March 2024 at the time of her dismissal.
Stollings was hired by Texas Tech on April 9, 2018. She took the job after resigning from the University of Minnesota, where she spent four seasons as head coach.
The 47-year-old Stollings went 32-28 overall at Texas Tech (11-25 in the Big 12). She didn't make the NCAA tournament with the Red Raiders. She has a 164-117 career record in 10 seasons as a head coach with four different programs.
Krista Gerlich replaced Stollings as head coach at Texas Tech. She is 21-34 overall in two seasons with the program.
5-Star Elijah Fisher Commits to Texas Tech, Reclassifies to Class of 2022
May 26, 2022
Elijah Fisher, a 5-star small forward from Toronto, announced Thursday on Sportsnet's Tim & Friends that he has committed to Texas Tech.
Fisher will also reclassify into the class of 2022.
Fisher is a 5-star prospect considered the fifth-best small forward and No. 24 overall player in the country, per 247Sports' composite rankings.
Despite the lofty ratings, the Canadian believes he is underrated.
"I’m very confident that I’m No. 1 in my class," Fisher said in an essay for Sports Illustrated.
He added in the piece that his goal is to be one-and-done.
Fisher has NBA potential with good size at 6'6", 195 pounds to go with impressive athleticism. He can attack the basket with regularity and finish well above the rim. The skill set makes him especially dangerous in transition with the ability to rack up fast-break points.
Adding his outside shooting ability, the young player has a lot of upside.
It led to over a dozen scholarship offers from some of the top teams across the country, but Fisher eventually decided on Texas Tech.
The Red Raiders have become a consistent force nationally and earned a trip to the Sweet 16 in the first year under head coach Mark Adams. With a defensive calling card and some added talent offensively, the squad could compete for a title.
Though it might not be a long-term partnership, Fisher has the chance to be an impact player from the start of his freshman season.
No. 3 Texas Tech Avoids No. 11 Notre Dame's Upset Bid, Will Face Duke in Sweet 16
Mar 21, 2022
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: Kevin Obanor #0 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts during the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second round game of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 20, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Texas Tech is heading to the Sweet 16 in the West Regional, but it sure didn't come easy.
The Red Raiders beat Notre Dame 59-53 on Sunday in what was a scrappy, tight matchup at the NCAA men's basketball tournament.
The largest lead for either side was just seven points, held by third-seeded Texas Tech, as neither team created a comfortable cushion and traded the lead back and forth in the second half. The Red Raider defense, in particular, clamped down, holding No. 11 seed Notre Dame to just 32.7 percent shooting from the field.
But Texas Tech had its own offensive issues, shooting just 4-of-15 from three (26.7 percent).
It wasn't an aesthetically pleasing win, but Texas Tech is heading to the Sweet 16 all the same.
Key Stats
Bryson Williams, Texas Tech: 14 points
Kevin Obanor, Texas Tech: 15 points, 15 rebounds, one block
Kevin McCullar, Texas Tech: 14 points
Dane Goodwin, Notre Dame: 14 points, eight rebounds
Paul Atkinson Jr., Notre Dame: Five points, four rebounds
Blake Wesley, Notre Dame: 11 points, eight boards
Obanor Came Up Big
Obanor was Texas Tech's fourth-leading scorer on the season, but with the Red Raiders struggling to establish much flow offensively, they needed someone to get them buckets.
So he did what was needed, particularly in the first half.
Kevin Obanor has last nine for Texas Tech. Only guy for either team with any sort of offensive mojo right now.
Kevin Obanor came to Tech to do more in March than score an upset. Hes playing like he’s got bigger goals today. About the only Red Raider who can hit a dang shot
Texas Tech's Kevin Obanor has a double-double. He's had a double-double in all five NCAA Tournament games he's played in going back to last year with Oral Roberts.
Add in his work on the boards, and he was huge for Texas Tech. The Red Raiders rotated in 10 players on Sunday night, but Obanor's minutes proved particularly crucial.
With Atkinson Struggling and Notre Dame Running out of Steam, Goodwin Tried to Step Up
Atkinson averaged 16 points per game this season but was barely a factor against Texas Tech, shooting just 1-of-4 from the field. Wesley, the team's second-leading scorer, struggled from the field (3-of-15) as well.
Thus, Goodwin answered the call, contributing 14 points while going a team-best 5-of-8 from the floor. Even so, almost every one of the Fighting Irish's buckets was a battle of attrition.
Notre Dame, playing its third game this week after being in the First Four, appeared to run out of gas down the stretch. But Goodwin did his part.
What's Next?
Texas Tech will face No. 2 seed Duke on Thursday. The time is yet to be determined.
Ochai Agbaji, No. 6 Kansas Beat No. 14 Texas Tech to Win 2022 Big 12 Championship
Mar 13, 2022
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MARCH 12: David McCormack #33 of the Kansas Jayhawks competes for a rebound in the first half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the finals of the 2022 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship at T-Mobile Center on March 12, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
The Kansas men's basketball team has been crowned the Big 12 champion for the 12th time in school history after beating Texas Tech 74-65 on Saturday at Kansas City's T-Mobile Center.
David McCormack's 18-point, 11-rebound evening paced the No. 6 Jayhawks, who went on a 12-2 second-half run to take a 63-56 lead.
Texas Tech later cut the lead down to 64-60 after a Bryson Williams layup, but Kansas responded with two layups buffered by a Texas Tech turnover for an eight-point advantage.
Remy Martin provided huge minutes off the KU bench with 12 points, four assists, four rebounds and three steals. Ochai Agbaji (16 points), Christian Braun (14) and Jalen Wilson (12) each scored in double figures.
Bryson Williams' 17 points led Texas Tech, and Terrence Shannon Jr. added 14 for the Red Raiders, which split the regular-season series with the Jayhawks.
Kansas, which entered the tournament as its No. 1 seed, moved to 28-6 on the year. The third-seeded Red Raiders fell to 25-9.
Texas Tech F Bryson Williams: 17 points, 4 rebounds
Texas Tech G Terrence Shannon Jr.: 14 points
Texas Tech F Kevin Obanor: 11 points, 6 rebounds
McCormack Guides KU to Victory
A sore foot limited the KU big man to only 23 minutes over the Jayhawks' first two Big 12 tournament games, amassing 14 points and seven rebounds along the way.
KU still managed to comfortably win a pair against West Virginia (87-63) and TCU (75-62).
The Jayhawks needed McCormack's services to dispatch the Red Raiders in the title game, though, and he delivered.
He was dominant on the glass, grabbing four of his 11 rebounds on the offensive boards. McCormack also shot 8-of-9 from the free-throw line and 5-of-10 from the field.
McCormack did all this despite clearly laboring up and down the court.
Dave McCormack appears to be favoring his left foot after that last possession.
McCormack also evened out his production, posting nine points and five rebounds in the first half before adding nine more points and six boards in the final 20 minutes.
Now the team sets its sights on the NCAA tournament, where the Jayhawks seem assured of a No. 1 seed after their win plus Kentucky's SEC tournament semifinal loss to Tennessee. McCormack and the Jayhawks aren't satisfied with just one title:
David McCormack to teammates: “We got one more championship to win.”
The Jayhawks are certainly riding a wave of momentum into March as KU looks for its first national title since 2008.
Texas Tech Falls But Should Be Dangerous in March Madness
If you're looking for a championship sleeper in March to differentiate yourself come bracket time, then consider Texas Tech.
Saturday wasn't the Red Raiders' night as McCormack was too strong, and Texas Tech's offense went cold in the final minutes.
But consider this: Texas Tech has wins over a pair of projected No. 1 seeds (Kansas, Baylor) and a No. 3 seed (Tennessee) in Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report's latest projections.
The Red Raiders played tough against the virtual lock for the No. 1 overall seed in Gonzaga, trailing just 42-40 in the second half before falling 69-55 in a game where the team's shots just weren't falling.
Texas Tech also owns the most efficient defense in Division I men's hoops per KenPom.com. Their offense isn't as good (No. 65), but they have a balanced scoring attack with six players averaging at least 8.5 points per game.
ShotQuality is also a big fan of their work:
I am worried this account may turn into a Texas Tech fan account... BUT THEY ARE UNDERVALUED!!!!!!!!
In a year where there appears to be one team (Gonzaga) and then everyone else right now, the door is open for underdog teams to make deep runs from a mass of teams. Why not Texas Tech and its dominant defense?
At any rate, the Red Raiders are clearly determined to turn the page and get on with March Madness:
Texas Tech coach Mark Adams: “We’re not finished. I promise you that, we’re not finished.”
For now, they'll sit and wait a day for their name to be called.
What's Next?
Kansas and Texas Tech will now wait to see their bracket placements when CBS airs the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship Selection Show at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday.
The Jayhawks and Red Raiders will start their tournaments either Thursday or Friday.
The latest projections from Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report have Kansas as a No. 1 seed and Texas Tech as a No. 3 seed.
No. 1 Baylor's Unbeaten Season Spoiled by No. 19 Texas Tech in Big 12 Upset
Jan 12, 2022
WACO, TX - JANUARY 11: Adonis Arms #25 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders drives inside as Matthew Mayer #24 of the Baylor Bears moves to defend in the first half at the Ferrell Center on January 11, 2022 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Tuesday was not a good day to be an undefeated team in men's college basketball.
After USC lost to Stanford, Baylor was the last remaining undefeated team in the country. Turns out, that lasted merely hours.
The No. 19 Texas Tech Red Raiders went on the road Tuesday and stunned the top-ranked Bears with a 65-62 upset. The victors improved to 12-3 on the season and 2-1 in Big 12 play, while Baylor fell to 15-1 overall and 3-1 in the league.
James Akinjo's potential game-tying three in the final seconds came up short, clinching the upset for the visitors.
While the Red Raiders had five players score in double figures, they won the game on the defensive side.
That's not particularly surprising considering they are fourth in the nation in Ken Pomeroy's pace-adjusted defensive rankings. They swarmed Baylor's outside shooters while holding the country's top team to just 8-of-24 shooting from deep and cut off its driving lanes while forcing 14 turnovers.
The last possession in particular stood out, as the Bears struggled to create a quality shot and were left with Akinjo tossing up a contested miss.
Adam Flagler and Akinjo each scored 17 points, but LJ Cryer was the only other Baylor player to score in double figures with 10.
Adonis Arms spearheaded the offensive effort for Texas Tech with 14 points, but he also stuffed the stat sheet with nine rebounds, five assists and two blocks. His ability to get into the lane and either finish himself or create for others was enough for the Red Raiders to overcome their own shooting woes at 4-of-14 (28.6 percent) from deep.
It has been quite the stretch for the victors considering they also defeated No. 6 Kansas on Saturday. The Red Raiders look the part of Big 12 contenders in the early portion of the conference schedule and will look to continue their momentum when they face Oklahoma State on Thursday.
Baylor will attempt to bounce back from its first loss when it plays the Cowboys in its next game as well on Saturday.
While the Bears will be in the unfamiliar position of playing after a loss, they are still in an ideal spot to earn a No. 1 seed come Selection Sunday when they will be attempting to defend their national title.
