Texas Tech Basketball: Breaking down the 2019 recruiting class

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 08: A view of the Texas Tech Red Raiders shorts prior to the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four National Championship game against the Virginia Cavaliers at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 05: Coach Beard of Texas Tech looks on. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Russel Tchewa – Putnam, CT

C | 7-foot-0 | 215 lbs | No. 410 overall

A true 7-footer with plenty of physical gifts, Russel Tchewa looks ready to play significant minutes at the college level already. Although his game is rather raw and he could add some strength, his size and defensive acumen should warrant some playing time. As already mentioned, Texas Tech is losing two rather key pieces in the frontcourt this offseason and Tchewa could be arriving at the perfect time.

On the defensive end of the floor, he has already shown the ability to use his wide and tall frame well. He alters shots at a high rate and should be a plus defender from the jump in Lubbock. With that said, his offensive game needs polishing and that could keep him from playing a ton of minutes as a true freshman. No matter what, you can be sure that Tchewa will develop well in his time with the team and he should be a strong contributor across his time with the program.

Although far from the most highly-rated prospect in the 2019 class, Tchewa physical tools yield the idea of a high ceiling. If he is able to develop quickly under the coaching staff and reach that ceiling, this will be a very underrated commit for the program. Texas Tech fans should be really excited about what Tchewa might develop into.

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