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Huge Hoops Prospect Malik Ondigo Visiting Texas Tech This Weekend

By Matthew Conner

Dec 3, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; A general view of the underside of the new scoreboard at United Supermarkets Arena before the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Rice Owls. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; A general view of the underside of the new scoreboard at United Supermarkets Arena before the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Rice Owls. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chris Beard is continually grinding away on the recruiting trail and this weekend he is hosting big-time hoops prospect Malik Ondigo.

The most impressive aspect of Chris Beard’s first year as Texas Tech head basketball coach has been his relentless work on the recruiting trail.  After being named to the position just over a year ago, Beard brought in six new players to the roster.  Now, Beard is looking to  add another big, piece,  Malik Ondigoto the already strong 2017 signing class.

The 6-foot-10 center/forward is currently on campus this weekend for an official visit .

A three-star prospect from Connecticut, Ondigo would be a fantastic addition to the Texas Tech basketball program.  He is a true back-to-the basket offensive presence the likes of which was missing from the 2016-17 Texas Tech basketball team.

As you can see from the highlights below, he is the type of player that teams can dump the ball into on the blocks like an old-school center.  He has a decent jump shot but unlike many of his contemporaries, he is not looking to be a ball-handling perimeter player.

Landing Ondigo would help secure the future of the Texas Tech basketball program.  The Red Raiders lost forwards Anthony Livingston, Aaron Ross and Matthew Temple to graduation this year.  Next season will be the last for forwards Zach Smith and Tommy Hamilton IV in Lubbock.

Right now, Beard faces the prospect of heading into the 2018-19 season with only forward Norense Odiase to man the low post.  Ondigo could be a great player to pair with Odiase.

He is at least two inches taller than Odiase and could defend talented big men in the Big 12.  Last season, Texas Tech was hurt by opposing centers which continually took advantage of Texas Tech’s lack of size inside.

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Baylor forward Jonathan Motley hung 25 on Texas Tech in January while Texas freshman center Jarrett Allen put up 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds as UT beat Tech in Austin.  The Red Raiders were the second-worst rebounding team in the Big 12 last season so a player with Ondigo’s size could make an immediate impact.

The competition for Malik Ondigo will be tough.  He is also considering Purdue, Boston College, Colorado and Nevada.

Fortunately, Chris Beard has recently proven that he can recruit against the big boys.  Last week, 3-star forward Zhaire Smith signed with Tech despite having an offer from the Longhorns.

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Beard has been able to get Ondigo on to campus which is the most important step.  Now, he must close the deal.  If he can do that with yet another high-profile 2017 recruit, the sky could be the limit for the Texas Tech basketball team.

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