Texas Tech basketball offers 2019 guard Kaylein Marzette
The Texas Tech basketball program has extended a scholarship offer to 2019 guard Kaylein Marzette from Detroit.
Though the Texas Tech basketball program has already signed the best class in program history, head coach Chris Beard is still looking to add talent. Thursday, Kaylein Marzette, a 2019 6-foot-3 guard from Detroit, Michigan received an offer from the Red Raiders.
Currently, Marzette does not have a profile on any of the major recruiting websites which might indicate that he is an under the radar prospect. So let’s turn to social media to learn a little more about why Beard is interested.
The scouting service Endless Motor Sports (which covers Detroit area sports and not auto racing) points out that Marzette is a good shooter off the catch. Upgrading the team’s outside shooting is likely to be a priority for Beard as the Red Raiders are tied with two other teams (Kansas State and Baylor) for the fewest 3-pointers in the Big 12 with 78 (an average of just six per game).
As we have already seen in the NBA, the 3-point shot is revolutionizing the way basketball is being played and eventually, it will take over the college game as kids continue to grow up learning to shoot from deep regardless of their height. Therefore, Beard likely knows that he must find better shooters who are capable of creating their own shot off of the bounce. This year’s roster features a number of players like Matt Mooney and Davide Moretti who are adequate 3-point shooters but who get the majority of their open looks off the catch.
Small colleges should definitely have 2019 guard @Kaymarz23 Kaylein Marzette (Detroit Renaissance) on the radar. 6’3, good shooter off the catch, nice athlete that really pushes the ball in transition, can attack in a straight line off the dribble in half court setting & finish pic.twitter.com/xicw46Uc22
— Endless Motor Sports (@endless_motor) December 20, 2018
It is interesting to note that this recruiting service seems to think that Marzette would be a fit at smaller colleges. Certainly, the fact that he has not already signed indicates that he likely does not have offers from major schools but that could change now that the early signing period has passed and the talent pool has dwindled significantly.
You can see more of Marzette in action here. In this clip, he displays a smooth jumper that he can shoot off the dribble as well as off the catch.
The lefty is also smooth with the ball and displays a terrific ability to get the to basket, something that is a must in Beard’s motion offense. It should be pointed out that he is not playing against the most elite talent in this video as some of the players he is dominating appear to be far short of legitimate college prospects.
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Currently, Tech has already signed four 2019 prospects. The class is ranked 23rd in the nation (but surprisingly just 5th in the Big 12) and his headlined by 4-star guard Jahmius Ramsey, the highest-ranked player to ever sign with the Red Raiders.
The 2019-2020 season is expected to be another of tremendous roster turnover. With four seniors set to graduate and Jarrett Culver expected to enter the NBA draft, the majority of the rotation will need to be replaced next season.
But the players already signed should help fill most the void left by those departures. 3-star San Antonio product Kevin McCullar will likely be the team’s next point guard and could replace Matt Mooney as a scorer as well. Meanwhile Ramsey will help fill the scoring void left by Culver.
6-foot-8 JUCO transfer Khalid Thomas (the preseason JUCO player of the year and No. 1 JUCO prospect in the nation) will also add some scoring punch and versatility in the post. Additionally, 7-foot Russel Tchewa will be a rim protector to help offset the loss of Tariq Owens.
And do not forget that the team’s top 2018 signee, Khavon Moore, has yet to play this season and may ultimately redshirt as he recovers from a broken leg. The 6-foot-7 forward is a do-it all player who can score, handle the basketball and rebound while creating mismatches because of his length and ability to shoot the ball.
Next. Texas Tech beats West Virginia 62-59. dark
With such a quality class already on board, Beard can afford to take a chance on a sleeper like Marzette. At this point, it is hard to question any decision the Red Raider head coach makes when it comes to evaluating talent so if he wants this relatively unknown prospect, that should tell us all we need to know.