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Texas Tech basketball: Red Raiders miss out on 5-star center

By Matthew Conner

AMES, IA - JANUARY 9: Head coach Chris Beard of the Texas Tech Red Raiders coaches from the bench in the first half of play at Hilton Coliseum on January 9, 2021 in Ames, Iowa. The Texas Tech Red Raiders won 91-64 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - JANUARY 9: Head coach Chris Beard of the Texas Tech Red Raiders coaches from the bench in the first half of play at Hilton Coliseum on January 9, 2021 in Ames, Iowa. The Texas Tech Red Raiders won 91-64 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images) /
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Enoch Boakye, a 5-star center in the class of 2021, has committed to Arizona State leaving the Texas Tech basketball program to continue searching for more size.

Thursday, the Texas Tech basketball program missed out on one of its top recruiting targets, 5-star center Enoch Boakye, who has verbally committed to Arizona State.  That’s a significant loss on the recruiting trail for a program that continues to look for more height in the post.

Texas Tech was all-in on the Ontario, Canada native and had recently hosted him on a virtual visit.  And given how much this program needs more height down low, it was easy to see why.

The 6-foot-10, 240-pound prospect is the No. 20 player and No. 4 center in the class of 2021 according to 247Sports.  And after he decommitted from Michigan State earlier this year, he became one of the hottest targets in the sport.

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"Josh Gershon of 247Sports has this scouting report, “Talented enter with an extremely high upside. Impressive frame with wide shoulders and long arms to go with pretty good hands for a young post. Has legitimate body control and ball skills for the position; can grab rebound and start break. Plus athlete and force around the basket due to sheer size and motor. Could improve his post moves and touch. Has upside as rim protector. Floor is college starter but has easy NBA upside.”"

Now, it is fair to wonder whether or not Tech will continue searching for more size in the post.  After all, we don’t know if senior forward Marcus Santos-Silva will choose to take advantage of the extra year of eligibility granted to all players this year.  Of course, given that Santos-Silva is just 6-foot-7, there’s every reason to believe that Tech would still like to add more size even if he returns in 2021-22.

Naturally, it would be great to see 7-footer Vald Goldin develop this offseason and prove to be a reliable rotational piece for Chris Beard next season.  But given Tech’s recent history with young big men, it is logical to wonder what Goldin’s future might be after he saw action in just ten games this season averaging 1.9 points and 1 rebound per game.

During the Chris Beard era, we’ve seen underclassmen Malik Ondigo, Josh Mballa, and Russell Tchewa all leave the program after two or fewer seasons.  Of course, all three of those post players have one thing in common; all went to high school at Putnam Science Academy…which is where Goldin also played prior to signing with Tech.

So for now, the search for immediate-impact big men continues, whether that be an addition to the roster or through the improvement of a player such as Goldin.  But unfortunately, one of the top options the Red Raiders were pursuing is now off the board.

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