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Texas Tech basketball: The top 25 Red Raiders in the Big 12 era

By Matthew Conner

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 08: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates the play against the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half during the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 08: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates the play against the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half during the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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DALLAS – MARCH 13: Kasib Powell #22 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders listens to head coach Bob Knight against the Baylor Bears during the Phillips 66 Big XII Championships at American Airlines Center on March 13, 2003 in Dallas, Texas. The Red Raiders won 68-65. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
DALLAS – MARCH 13: Kasib Powell #22 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders listens to head coach Bob Knight against the Baylor Bears during the Phillips 66 Big XII Championships at American Airlines Center on March 13, 2003 in Dallas, Texas. The Red Raiders won 68-65. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

No. 17: Kasib Powell

Another player who would be a perfect fit in Chris Beard’s system is Kasib Powell, the former JUCO transfer who was part of the first two teams that Bob Knight had in Lubbock (2001-02, 2002-03).  At 6-foot-7 but capable of handling the ball like a point guard, the New Jersey native was a matchup nightmare who often facilitated the offense in the half-court for the Red Raiders.

For his career, Powell put up 15.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.  Also, he dished out 4.1 assists per game as often, Tech would give him the ball at the top of the key and let him facilitate the offense.

Powell had the game of a guard but the length of a power forward.  That made him a jack of all trades for Bob Knight.  He even averaged 1.1 steals and 0.6 blocks per game.

Despite being a Red Raider for only two seasons, Powell is part of the 1,000-point club at Texas Tech.  His 1,009 career points are good for 41st in program history.  What’s more, his 14.1 p.p.g. average in Big 12 play is good for 7th all-time by a Red Raider.

Unfortunately for Powell, he only got to play in one NCAA Tournament game, which came in his junior season.  But he made the most of that opportunity.

In Tech’s 76-68 loss to Southern Illinois in the first round of the 2002 tournament, Bob Knight’s first tournament with Tech, Powell was one of only two Red Raiders in double-digits.  With 19 points, 7 rebounds, three assists, and a steal, he had a quintessential Kasib Powell performance on a national stage.

It’s a shame that a guy like Powell can’t be cloned because he would thrive while playing under Chris Beard.  But he did rather well for himself playing for Bob Knight as he remains one of the most versatile and underrated players in Tech basketball history.

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