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Texas Tech basketball: What the addition of Joel Ntambwe means for the program

By Matthew Conner

RENO, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 27: Tre'Shawn Thurman #0 of the Nevada Wolf Pack watches as Joel Ntambwe #24 of the UNLV Rebels takes a jump shot during the game between the Nevada Wolf Pack and the UNLV Rebels at Lawlor Events Center on February 27, 2019 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images)
RENO, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 27: Tre'Shawn Thurman #0 of the Nevada Wolf Pack watches as Joel Ntambwe #24 of the UNLV Rebels takes a jump shot during the game between the Nevada Wolf Pack and the UNLV Rebels at Lawlor Events Center on February 27, 2019 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images) /
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Will this help Tech be in the mix for Ntambwe’s 5-star brother?

Though it is not why the Red Raiders brought Joel Ntambwe to Lubbock, having him on the roster could pay huge dividends in two years.  That’s because the No. 3 player in the class of 2021 is Jonathan Kuminga, who is Ntambwe’s younger brother.

Kuminga is a 6-foot-8, 205-pound 5-star prospect who is playing is high school ball in New York.  He already holds offers from Kentucky, Alabama, Arizona State, Auburn, UCONN, Baylor, Illinois, Georgia, Maryland, Memphis, TCU, West Virginia and Texas Tech.

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And Red Raider fans may be inspired by the following comment Ntambwe made to PrepHoops.com.

"Speaking to Zach Smart back in 2017, Ntambwe said of his little brother, “I’d love to be on the same court with him, whether on his team or against him because we would both want to put on a show. It would be special since we are family.”"

Should Kuminga join his brother in Lubbock, the duo could play together for two years before big brother exhausts his eligibility.  But both are considered NBA prospects with Ntambwe having already put his name in the draft this year.  So there is a chance that the elder brother could head to the NBA before his younger brother arrives on campus.

And some believe that the NBA may soon amend their rules to allow high school players to once again enter the draft without going to college for a year, which could be good news for Kuminga.  However, it is being reported that such a change may not take place until 2022 meaning Kuminga’s class would be the last that has to spend a year on campus.

dark. Next. Turning points in the 2018-19 season

Certainly, there is a long way to go until the 2021 class puts pen to paper.  But keep an eye on Jonathan Kuminga because there is now a connection between one of the best high school players in the nation and Texas Tech.

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