Big 12 Basketball: Texas Tech, Oklahoma land pair of key transfers

Despite being Memorial Day Weekend, there was still some news involving Big 12 Basketball programs.

Marvin Johnson chooses Oklahoma

Porter Moser filled out his first roster as head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners by signing Eastern Illinois transfer Marvin Johnson on May 30. With Johnson accepting the Sooners scholarship offer, OU has reached the maximum number of scholarships (13) for the year. It also marks the ninth player that Moser has brought in since he was brought in to replace the retired Lon Kruger.

Johnson, who is from Ardmore (OK), led EIU in scoring and assists last season with 15.3 points and 4.7 assists. He also topped the squad with 1.7 steals a game and was second with 5.2 caroms. A first-team All-OVC selection, he led the conference in assist percentage along with usage and turnovers. Additionally, Johnson produced four double-doubles and scored in double-figures on 22 occasions, which included five games of at least 20 points.

Johnson took quite a while to make his college choice as he entered the transfer portal on March 11. He also gave serious consideration to Arkansas, Georgia, and Ohio State.

Overall, Johnson is the fifth D-I transfer that Moser has brought in this year, joining Jordan Goldwire (Duke) along with Ethan Chargios (SMU) and the Grovers brothers (Tanner and Jacob) from Eastern Washington. Junior college transfer Akol Mawein and incoming freshmen Bijan Cortes, CJ Noland, and Alston Mason are the other newcomers.

Umoja Gibson, Elijah Harkless, Jalen Hill, and Rick Issanza are the four returnees from last year’s squad that went 16-11 and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Sooners have made three straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament.

Davion Warren transfers to Texas Tech

Davion Warren became new Texas Tech Raiders head coach Mark Adams, who was promoted after Chris Beard left for Texas, fifth recruit. The Buffalo (NY), who will have one season left, native announced his commitment on May 28.

Warren took a major step in his development in his second season with the Hampton Pirates last year, compiling 21.2 points along with 6.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists. The 6-6 guard also made 2.2 3-pointers a game while posting a shooting line of 45.5%/30.2%/ 75.5%. He scored in double-figures in 24 of 25 appearances, topping the 20-point mark 18 times and reaching the 30-point mark on three occasions.

Adams had already added Winthrop transfer Adonis Arms, Florida State transfer Sardaar Calhoun, and D-II All-American guard Chandler Jacobs (Dallas Baptist) as well as junior college transfer KJ Adams (East Los Angeles) and Ethan Duncan from Lubbock Trinity Christian.

Adams is still waiting to hear whether Terrence Shannon will return or stay in the NBA Draft. The Red Raiders, who have reached three straight NCAA Tournaments, will have Kevin McCullar, Marcos Santos-Silva, Avery Benson, Clarence Nadolny, and Chibuzo Agbo back.

Other news: 

• Jared Butler, who recently graduated from Baylor, decided to forego his remaining eligibility and enter the NBA Draft. The 6-3 combo guard is expected to be a first-round draft choice. He becomes the fourth BU player to turn pro this offseason, joining Mark Vital, MaCio Teague, and Davion Mitchell. Matthew Mayer is still deciding whether to remain in the Draft or return to the Bears

• Kansas has recently offered 2022 3-star guard AJ Storr and top-60 prospect Zuby Ejiofor. Storr has re-opened his recruitment after de-committing from Illinois. Ejiofor, from Garland (TX), has 11 total offers and has visited KU (June 23), Arkansas (July 1), Oklahoma (June 14), TCU (June 9), and Texas (June 28).