Texas Tech basketball alums: Where mock drafts have Jahmi’us Ramsey headed

With the NBA Draft quickly approaching, here’s a look at where some of the latest mocks have Texas Tech basketball alum Jahmi’us Ramsey headed.

There was a time when it was rare to hear the names of Texas Tech basketball alums called in the NBA Draft.  In fact, Tech went from 2005-2017 without a single player being selected.

Of course, that’s changed during the Chris Beard era.  Now, there’s the distinct possibility that the Red Raiders will have their third-straight first-round pick depending on where Jahmi’us Ramsey is selected.

In his only year in Lubbock, Ramsey led Tech in scoring with 15 points per game to earn Big 12 Freshman of the Year and second-team All-Big 12 honors.  Of course, much of that was on the strength of 42.6% shooting from 3-point range.

Now, he’s about to learn where his NBA journey will begin.  But he will have to wait a while on draft night to find out because the earliest he’s projected to be picked is towards the end of the first round.

The Los Angeles Times projects Ramsey to go at No. 20 to Miami.  Of course, the Heat are coming off of an appearance in the NBA Finals so a winning culture is already in place on South Beach.

"“A tough-nosed combo guard who cares about winning? Sounds like Miami’s kind of guy,” writes Dan Woike.More from Wreck'Em RedTexas Tech football: Red Raider fans need to know about these MountaineersTexas Tech football: Red Raiders land first commit for class of 2025Texas Tech football: Why have the Red Raiders struggled on the road under McGuire?Texas Tech football: Why the Red Raiders can compete for a Big 12 titleTexas Tech football: Plenty of questions remain as conference play arrives"

The Heat may decide to let guard Goran Dragic walk as an unrestricted free agent given that he’s 34 years old.  That could make them interested in a shooting guard like Ramsey to come off the bench behind Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro, one of this past season’s breakout rookie sensations.

Yahoo Sports has Ramsey joining another Eastern Conference contender when he heads to Milwaukee at No. 24 in their mock draft.  FanSided’s Bucks site “Behind the Buck Pass” recently laid out three of Milwaukee’s offseason needs and upgrading the talent on the wings is one area addressed.  Perhaps that will entice them to bring Ramsey on board, especially given his ability to space the floor by hitting 3’s, something that the Bucks need, given that their superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is a dreadful outside shooter.

Red Raider fans may not like where Bleacher Report has Ramsey landing.  Heading to the New York Knicks at No. 27 would send him to the worst-run franchise in the NBA.  But it would finally give him an opportunity to play at Madison Square Garden after Ramsey had to miss last season’s Red Raider victory over No. 1 Louisville at MSG.

Staying in the Eastern Conference, Sports Illustrated puts Ramsey at No. 29 heading to Toronto.

"“Ramsey is an interesting upside play late in the first round after effectively showcasing his three-point shooting last season and coupling it with an NBA-type frame,” writes Jeremy Woo. “He wasn’t particularly consistent and has a lot to work on—and didn’t look like much of a playmaker—so the hope is that he’ll effectively defend and continue to shoot it at a high clip. If he puts it all together, there’s a rotation player skill set here, but it will require a level of adjustment to a smaller offensive role. He’s the type of physical, skilled player the Raptors have been able to get more from, and a solid piece to develop on the bench as Toronto begins to transition away from a veteran-heavy core and toward the next iteration of the roster.”"

USA Today concurs with that pick as they also have Ramsey headed to the Raptors at No. 29.  They point to his defense as a major strength.

"“Ramsey’s athleticism and perimeter defense will get him by, initially. He remains unproven, however, as a consistent scorer. He has a nice shot from outside and made 42.6% of his 3s.”"

Defense wasn’t necessarily Ramsey’s calling card last year.  In fact, he ranked just 7th on the Texas Tech basketball roster in defensive rating by allowing an average of 93.2 points per 100 possessions.  However, much of Ramsey’s defensive struggles came off the ball in Tech’s complicated defensive scheme.  But in the NBA, one-on-one defense is far more important and Ramsey does have the size and athleticism to be able to hold his own as a classic 3-and-D guard.

If Ramsey hangs around until pick No. 29, it will be time for him to worry about falling out of the first round as both DraftTek.com (No. 34 to Philadelphia) and Net Scouts basketball (No. 40 to Memphis) project.  That would be a major blow given that second-round picks do not have guaranteed contracts making them all the more disposable to teams than first-rounders who are guaranteed their contracts.

But should Ramsey hear his name called in the first round, he will join Zhaire Smith and Jarrett Culver to give Chris Beard his third-straight first-round pick, which is a major selling point on the recruiting trail.  Here’s hoping that comes to fruition because cranking out NBA talent is critically important to the continued success of Texas Tech basketball.