TCU Insider: The story behind Eddie Lampkin’s puzzling criticism of coach Jamie Dixon

Wednesday was supposed to be about TCU preparing for Kansas State and the Big 12 tournament. Instead the program is embroiled in controversy, facing questions about its culture.

Fan favorite and center Eddie Lampkin Jr. took to Instagram and posted screenshots of text messages between his mother, Vanessa Lampkin, and TCU coach Jamie Dixon, as well as between himself and another unnamed coach. In the text exchange, his mother accused Dixon of player mistreatment and of making “racial comments.”

The Star-Telegram spoke to multiple Black parents of current players and to another longtime AAU Black coach who has had multiple athletes play for Dixon.

All said their children and players have never told them of any racist or racially insensitive comments made by Dixon.

One parent said she immediately called her son after Lampkin’s post, and the player informed her that he never heard Dixon say anything racist.

Another praised the coaching staff, in particular Black assistant coaches Tony Benford and Duane Broussard, for how they’ve treated their son.

The AAU coach said Dixon, “knows the hell out of some basketball,” and he has never heard any type of racial accusations about Dixon from players or his colleagues.

On Wednesday, Dixon said he hadn’t seen the Instagram posts and had no comment. When asked about the situation, the TCU athletics department also had no comment.

That’s a strong indication that TCU doesn’t have an Iowa football problem on its hand. Iowa just agreed to pay $4 million in a racial discrimination lawsuit. Dixon has been coaching for decades and has not had any accusations of racism come up publicly.

Suffice to say, there’s no evidence of a culture problem with the TCU men’s basketball program. But does it invalidate Lampkin’s family accusation of “racial” comments?

That’s more complicated. Lampkin has deleted his Instagram and the posts.

I texted with Lampkin briefly on Wednesday to try and get his perspective. We exchanged a few messages, but a request for an interview on the topic went unanswered.

Lampkin did make it clear to me and others that this has been a trying season for him mentally. His brother, Du’Vonta, was killed in Dallas last summer, and he lost an aunt during the season.

While trying to process the grief of his brother’s passing, Lampkin was also trying to build on what many hoped would be a breakout NCAA Tournament performance. His 20-point, 14-rebound performance against Arizona in March 2022 captivated the country.

No player was more popular on the roster with a steady dose of kids and fans always waiting for his autograph after a home game. According to sources with knowledge of the matter, Lampkin had lucrative name, image and likeness deals that netted him six figures, including a deal with Chicken Express.

Stardom and success mixed with grief and anguish seemed to pour over into the season.

But despite flashes throughout the year, like a 16-point showing in a win over Providence or putting up 17 points and six rebounds in a blowout win of Kansas State, Lampkin’s production dropped across the board.

An ankle injury played a role in that, but there was also frustration with his role and playing time. Truthfully this went beyond basketball with grief, the weight of expectations on a college student. It wasn’t a surprise to some around the program that Lampkin decided to step away from the TCU program.

While Dixon didn’t close the door on Lampkin returning, it’s hard to see the fan favorite back in a TCU uniform. The saga was beginning to weigh on the program as his reliability when it came to practice and playing came into the question according to sources.

As for what it means for the Horned Frogs on the court? TCU has played without Lampkin for a good stretch of the season, as the center missed seven games and was hampered in a few more.

TCU struggled at times in those games, but it’s also important to remember that top scorer Mike Miles Jr. was also absent for most of those games, too.

Lampkin’s size and rebounding will be missed, though, as TCU loses a body in the frontcourt. But TCU should be fine going forward with JaKobe Coles and Xavier Cork. Coles scored in double figures in seven of TCU’s final 11 games and gives Dixon a small ball five that knock down 3-pointers and free throws.

Cork doesn’t have the size of Lampkin but is the more agile athlete and gives TCU an adequate rim protector. The biggest X-Factor will likely be Emanuel Miller, whom Dixon dubbed the team’s best offensive rebounder. He could also see himself having to man the five spot if TCU gets into foul trouble.

He’s more than capable with two double-doubles against Texas and Texas Tech.

Lampkin tweeted late Thursday afternoon in support of his teammates.

“GOOD LUCK TO THE GUYS,” Lampkin tweeted. “I’‘m rocking with y’all the whole way. I’m Eddie Lampkin not just a basketball player. I love all my fans and supporters.”

TCU basketball will be fine going forward. The hope for everyone has to be that Lampkin, the person and basketball player, will be fine too.