Wreck'Em Red
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
OKLAHOMA CITY – MARCH 11: The Texas Tech Red Raiders cheerleaders and mascot during the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship at the Ford Center March 11, 2009 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY – MARCH 11: The Texas Tech Red Raiders cheerleaders and mascot during the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship at the Ford Center March 11, 2009 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Russell Tchewa; 7-foot, 215-pounds, 3-star center; Putnam, Connecticut

Needing to add size in the post to replace the graduating Odiase and Owens, the Red Raiders have signed 7-foot center Russell Tchewa.  He played his high school basketball at Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut where current Red Raiders Malik Ondigo and Josh Mballa also played their high school basketball. Beginning next year, those three Putnam products will be the foundation of Texas Tech’s post presence.

More from Wreck'Em Red

Rated as the No. 59 overall center in the nation and the No. 7 player in Connecticut, Tchewa is a three-star prospect. Playing in the Euroleague for his native Cameroon, he turned heads this summer by scoring 13.5 points and pulling down 5.3 boards per game.

He will bring an element to the program that has not been seen in quite a while.  As a traditional center who likes to play with his back to the basket, Tchewa will be a force on the low block on both ends of the court. He displays excellent touch around the rim, something that can’t be said of all young players of his size.

Don’t look for this 7-footer to be launching threes from deep and trying to play outside like NBA 7-footers Anthony Davis or Kevin Durant.  He will bring size and physicality to the court which is always key in the rugged Big 12 where he will do battle in the paint

Related Story. Texas Tech basketball: What do we know after three games?. light

Tchewa will be a key on the defensive end of the court where he must protect the rim a-la Tariq Owens.  The Red Raiders don’t need Tchewa to be a force offensively.  Rather, he needs to be willing and able to do the dirty work that often goes unnoticed but which is so critical for every quality basketball team.

Home/Texas Tech Basketball