Texas Tech basketball: Reasons for Jahmi’us Ramsey to head to the NBA

Ramsey may not be Tech’s primary offensive option next season

By the time December rolled around this past season, it was rather clear that Rasey was going to be Tech’s offensive leader.  Prior to his injury on Thanksgiving night against Iowa, he was averaging 19.4 points per game which led the Big 12 at the time and though he had some ups and downs during his first season, he finished fifth in the conference in scoring at 15 p.p.g.

Thus, he might be wise to ride that strong showing to the NBA because next year, the Red Raiders will have a more versatile team, especially on offense.  That means, he could see his scoring decrease, which might not bode well for his draft stock.

Make no mistake, if he returns, he’s going to be one of the team’s primary options.  But unlike this past season, he won’t be the primary option.

Joel Ntambwe could take some of the lead as a scorer.  As a freshman at UNLV, he averaged 11.8 points per game, which is more than either Zharie Smith or Jarrett Culver averaged as freshmen.

Of course, Nimari Burnett could also be an offensive force.  Though the McDonald’s All-American is more of a point guard than Ramsey, he’s still got plenty of skills when it comes to putting up points.  What’s more, his addition to the team means that Ramsey would have the ball in his hands less than he did this past season.

That would also be true if Wichita State transfer Jamarius Burton is granted an eligibility waiver allowing him to play in 2020-21 despite being an undergrad transfer.  Likewise, a player like Micah Peavy, Ramsey’s former high school teammate and a top-50 2020 signee, has the game to be an offensive force when he arrives.

Ramsey led Tech in shot attempts this year, 12.4 per game.  That’s 2.4 more than Kyler Edwards, who was second on the team, averaged.    Ramsey also led Tech in usage rate at 26.2%.  Those numbers will likely fall next year given that this roster is going to be as deep and talented as any in Red Raider history.  Thus, it wouldn’t be a stretch to imagine his status as the lead dog being challenged and that would not be a boost to his draft status.

When weighing both sides of this decision, it isn’t tough to understand why Ramsey will likely leave Lubbock for the NBA.  It’s an opportunity to both realize a dream and become wealthy enough to take care of his family before the age of 20.  Everyone goes to college to prepare for their career of choice and it appears like one year at Texas Tech might be all Ramsey feels he needs in order to make a living at his craft.