Texas Tech Basketball: Red Raiders land UNLV sit-out transfer Joel Ntambwe
Texas Tech Basketball continues to land talent from the transfer market, landing a potential future NBA player in Joel Ntambwe.
While the Memphis Tigers have been dominating recruitment this offseason, Texas Tech Basketball has been just as good in the transfer market. And they added one this weekend with Joel Ntambwe, a 6’9 forward with high potential.
He wasn’t supposed to get as much playing time as he did as a freshman this past season but an injury to Shakur Juiston made him the top frontcourt option for the Rebels. Ntambwe averaged 11.8 ppg and 5.5 rpg in 24 mpg, equalling out to nearly 20 ppg per 40 minutes. He had a great stretch in the non-conference with three-straight double-doubles and dropped a season-high 31 points against Wyoming.
Ntambwe hit a freshman wall towards the end of the season but still was good overall, going from an unknown freshman out of prep school into an NBA prospect. He entered his name into the draft but withdrew a few days ago. He also remained in the NCAA Basketball transfer portal after the head coach was fired and opted not to return to UNLV.
Ntambwe’s pick was Texas Tech, who is replacing graduating seniors Tyriq Owens and Norense Odiase. The now-former UNLV big man is a sit-out transfer, which works perfectly with the Red Raiders. They already brought in a pair of grad transfer forwards in Chris Clarke and TJ Holyfield for next season but will have to reload again for 2020-21.
But Ntambwe has a chance to be better than any of these listed players. Not only does he have the athleticism and versatility but the 6’9 big man can spread the floor, coming off a season where he shot 39% from three-point range. He’ll have to improve his shot selection overall but he’ll be surrounded by better talent in Lubbock than he did at Vegas.
Next. A look at top class of 2020 commitments. dark
Being at a team barely overall .500, there isn’t much noise about Ntambwe making this move to Texas Tech. But from a potential standpoint and having a year to develop with this coaching staff, this could end up having a huge impact in the Big 12. Possibly even similar to what another Mountain West transfer forward did in the WCC with Brandon Clarke from San Jose State. Now the Red Raiders frontcourt is set for both next season and the year after.