What’s Next After Texas Tech Misses Out On 3-Star Point Guard?

Three-star point guard Isaac Likekele from Mansfield, Texas committed to Oklahoma State Friday leaving Texas Tech to explore other avenues in order to fill out the 2018 recruiting class.

Friday, Texas Tech fans were reminded how difficult it is to build a championship basketball team, even for a program coming off an Elite 8 run and coached by one of the true rising stars in the profession.  Despite putting on the full-court press for the past month, Beard and the Red Raiders were unable to land 3-star Mansfield, Texas point guard Isaac Likekele.

The 6-foot-4, 205-pounder committed to Oklahoma State Friday, a mild surprise given the number of recruiting “insiders” that anticipated seeing him end up in scarlet and black.  Likekele was also considering UTEP and had visited all three schools since being granted his release from Fresno State in April.

The silver lining for Tech is that Likekele was not being counted on to be a significant contributor in the upcoming season but it was hoped he could be a long-term building block.  Now, Texas Tech must look elsewhere to round out the 2018 signing class which has at least two open scholarships left.  Here are some of the options still on the table.

Matt Mooney

South Dakota forward Matt Mooney has been Texas Tech’s top offseason target since announcing his intention to transfer.  The Red Raiders have done everything possible to bring the versatile 6-foot-3 scorer into the fold to help offset the loss of six of the team’s top seven scorers from 2017-18.

Mooney averaged 18.7 points per game last season and will be eligible to play this year as a graduate transfer.  He would likely be a walk-in starter and would add a much needed veteran presence to a team that is replacing five seniors.

Mooney has taken his official visit to Texas Tech and is currently weighing his options.  It is believed that he is down to Tech, Northwestern and Creighton.  Mooney’s decision is the major domino the Tech staff is waiting to fall and his decision will shape the remainder of the offseason regardless of where he ends up.

Keonte Kennedy

With Likekele off the board, Texas Tech will probably focus more of its energy on Austin, Texas forward Keonte Kennedy.  The 6-foot-4, 175-pound 4-star shooting guard originally signed with Xavier but was released from his scholarship when Xavier coach Chris Mack left for Louisville.

Kennedy, is also considered more of a building-block type of player who would not be asked to play a starring role next season.  Still, with the loss of Zhaire Smith, there is a hole Texas Tech needs to fill at shooting guard as much for the future as for next season.  But should Mooney not land at Texas Tech, Kennedy could find an opportunity to play an important role as a freshman.

Kevin McCullar

this 6-foot-6, 180-pound 4-star prospect from San Antonio is a Texas Tech legacy whose father played football at Tech.  He is also Chris Beard’s highest priority high school prospect.

Recently, McCullar announced his intention to enroll in college for the spring 2019 semester making him officially part of the 2018 class.  Though he would redshirt during that semester, he would be a huge addition to the ’18 class.

Losing out on Likekele means that Texas Tech is able to ensure that a scholarship is waiting for McCullar should he commit to Tech.  Though he would not have an impact on the 2018-19 season, McCullar would be the biggest high school prospect Tech could still add this offseason.

Keep in mind that Tech could also look to the JUCO ranks as well as the international prospect market to fill out next year’s roster, especially if Mooney lands elsewhere and Beard needs an impact player for the upcoming season.

Next: Could This Grad Transfer QB be a Fit At Tech?

Losing out on Likekele is not optimal but certainly not the end of the world.  There are still plenty of moves to be made this summer and Chris Beard is always grinding away which is reason enough to be optimistic and confident moving forward.