Transfer Sardaar Calhoun could be a hidden gem for Texas Tech Basketball
The Big 12 continues to get involved with the transfer portal, this time with Texas Tech Basketball landing Sardaar Calhoun, a former Florida State guard that was a role player this past season.
Calhoun started out his college career at the Junior College level, playing for Missouri State University-West Plains. He was a fantastic scoring guard there, shooting over 43% from deep and averaging nearly 18 ppg. The 6’6 guard/wing was highly sought after by D-I programs before landing with the Seminoles.
On a team that had plenty of depth, Calhoun filled out his role as the sharpshooting option off the bench. In 25 games played, the junior guard averaged 5.3 ppg on 40% three-point shooting, with roughly half of his attempts coming from the three-point line. Calhoun had four double-digit scoring games, including a season-high 16 points on 7/9 shooting against Miami.
Calhoun only played around 15 mpg and was limited in the backcourt from the likes of MJ Walker and Scottie Barnes. And considering that Florida State was bringing in Houston transfer Caleb Mills, along with a top-5 incoming recruiting class, it only made sense that he would enter the transfer portal for a better spot.
https://twitter.com/khadircalhoun/status/1393680528193245185
There are lots of different ways to judge transfers. Some failed at their previous spots, while others were looking to play for a bigger program, and some moved on after their coach was fired. Calhoun is different in that he succeeded in his role but it was a fairly small one. That’s going to change at Texas Tech, as the program has undergone a rester reboot after head coach Chris Beard decided to leave for Texas.
The team lost nearly everyone from this past season, with the exception of Marcus Santos-Silva and Clarence Nadolny. For this piece, I’m going to assume both Mac McClung and Terrence Shannon Jr. are going to remain in the 2021 NBA Draft. But new head coach Mark Adams has done a solid job of rebuilding the backcourt in particular.
Other incoming transfers include Mylik Wilson (12.9 ppg and 3.2 apg at Louisiana), former D-II star Chandler Jacobs, Davion Warren (21.2 ppg at Hampton), and Adonis Arms (10.5 ppg and 4.7 rpg at Winthrop). In his group, both Warren and Wilson shot under 30% from three-point range, Arms was around 35%, and Jacobs was 45% but again, against D-II opponents.
Calhoun, who can play at the small forward or third guard position in the offense, provides a much-needed dimension for the Red Raiders. Him being a threat from deep will allow the slashers Warren and Wilson to operate and the frontcourt will have room down low.
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Calhoun averaged around 15 ppg per 40 minutes at Florida State last season. If his playing time goes to around 25-30, there should be little doubt that he’ll be a double-digit scorer and give Texas Tech Basketball instant offense. He might not be the juiciest offseason pickup but for a rebuilding team that needs a quality shooter, few that remained in the portal would’ve been a better option.