Texas Tech basketball: Freshman Tyreek Smith cleared to practice

Texas Tech basketball head coach Chris Beard revealed at Tuesday’s press conference that freshman forward Tyreek Smith has been cleared to resume full practice activities.

Fans hoping for some potential reinforcements in the form of players that can rebound and defend got a bit of promising news on Tuesday. Ahead of his team’s game with West Virginia on Wednesday, Texas Tech basketball head coach Chris Beard revealed that true freshman forward Tyreek Smith had been cleared to participate in full practice activities after suffering a broken foot just prior to the start of the season.

"“He’s been cleared to practice,” Beard said. “And today will be his second day of live contact.”"

Yet to play this year, we might forget how good of a prospect Smith was when he arrived on campus. Rated the No. 144 player in the class of 2019, the Cedar Hill, Texas native was the No. 14 player in the state and No. 22 power forward in the nation according to 247Sports.

"“High-level athlete with solid size for position,” writes Jerry Meyer of 247Sports. “Quick off floor as rebounder and shot blocker. Plays with a competitive motor. Not a ball handler, but is a finisher. Energy, defender and rebounder type. Does need to build up body and get stronger. Limited range at this point.”"

It’s important to read that scouting report because it sounds like just the type of player that this year’s team needs to add to the mix. The 6-foot-8, 205-pounder could be a nice aide to the Red Raiders’ struggles in the paint as a backup to T.J. Holyfield.

But of course, we all have to tap the breaks. Expecting a true freshman to get his college basketball baptism in the middle of the Big 12 race is a tough ask for any player. After all, we’ve seen the way another true freshman, Jahmi’us Ramsey, has struggled during conference games and he is the highest-rated high school signee to ever play for this program.

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"“I would think when we make the turn in the Big 12, that would be about the last moment that we could consider [letting him play],” Beard said. “But right now, we’re not really spending much time thinking about that. We’re just trying for him to have good days.”"

We learned last year that Beard is going to be overly cautious when bringing a player back from an injury. When former 4-star signee Khavon Moore felt he was ready to return after a year away from game action because of a gruesome broken leg he suffered in his senior year of high school, Beard was so careful with Moore’s timetable for return that it caused a rift between the head coach and the freshman to the point that Moore eventually left the program.

How much of that cautiousness was due to Moore’s overall health and how much was due to his ability, or lack thereof, to help his team on the floor, we will never know. But we do know that Beard is going to make his decision based upon what is best for the player and the overall team.

"“He’s had some good days,” Beard said. “A little bit sore when he works hard. Nothing to do with the injury. Completely, 100% healed but trying to get your legs back under you.”"

If you take Beard at his word about the mid-way point of the Big 12 schedule being the cut-off point, that would mean that Tuesday, February 4th at Oklahoma would be a critical date because it is Tech’s ninth of 18 league games. That is of course if he does not have any setbacks between now and then.

"“Today’s his second full-contact practice,” Beard said. “Obviously, we need to get through a week or two of those practices before we make any decision on game time this year.”"

Even if Smith does see the floor this season, we should all temper our expectations. He isn’t going to be a savior the way UNLV transfer Joel Ntambwe might be should he win his appeal to the NCAA for immediate eligibility.

Ntambwe has a year of college basketball under his belt and has been practicing at 100% the entire season. Meanwhile, Smith would have the most massive of learning curves ahead of him this year given when he’s not been able to work out or practice at full-capacity since the end of October. Still, his potential return has fans hopeful that another piece to this year’s roster may finally be ready to help out as the Red Raiders battle for an NCAA Tournament birth.

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