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Texas Tech basketball inks best recruiting class in program history

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TX - JANUARY 31: General view of the scoreboard after the Texas Tech Red Raiders defeated the Texas Longhorns in overtime 73-71 on January 31, 2018 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - JANUARY 31: General view of the scoreboard after the Texas Tech Red Raiders defeated the Texas Longhorns in overtime 73-71 on January 31, 2018 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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Khalid Thomas; 6-foot-9, 210-pounds; 4-star forward, College of Southern Idaho

The top JUCO prospect in the class of 2019 is headed to Texas Tech.  Khalid Thomas, the preseason JUCO player of the year, signed with the Red Raiders on Wednesday.

Thomas picked Texas Tech over Arizona, Baylor, Florida State, LSU, Mississippi State, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon, Virginia Tech and West Virginia.

This is a player who has the size of former Red Raider Zach Smith but the offensive skill of a guard.  He is in the mold of the new breed of big man capable of stepping out and hitting shots from deep with regularity.

Thomas is fluid with the basketball and is capable of initiating the offense or leading the fast break thanks to his ball-handling ability.  Last year, he averaged14.7 points and 6.5 rebounds as a freshman.

He could pair with 2018 signee Khavon Moore to form one of the most gifted forward duos in college basketball next season.  And just like Moore, Thomas is recovering from an injury.

After breaking two bones in his foot just over a month ago he has yet to play this year.  However, he expects to make a full recovery and return to the court in December or January.

Thomas will help offset the loss of Tariq Owens who will graduate after this season.  While he is a much different player than the shot-blocking senior Owens, Thomas will bring some important size to a team also losing 6-foot-8 forward Norense Odiase.

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