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Texas Tech basketball: Red Raiders in the mix for dynamic UNLV transfer

By Matthew Conner

Mar 5, 2020; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; UNLV Rebels guard Bryce Hamilton (13) look to pass the ball defended by Boise State Broncos guard Justinian Jessup (3) during the first half of a Mountain West Conference tournament game at Thomas Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2020; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; UNLV Rebels guard Bryce Hamilton (13) look to pass the ball defended by Boise State Broncos guard Justinian Jessup (3) during the first half of a Mountain West Conference tournament game at Thomas Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Though the Texas Tech basketball program is under new leadership, one thing is going to remain the same.  The Red Raiders are going to be active in the transfer portal once again this offseason.

One name to watch is UNLV guard Bryce Hamilton.  According to ESPN college basketball insider Jeff Borzello, Tech is one of a number of programs that have reached out to the All-Mountain West performance since he entered the transfer portal.   Also reportedly in the mix are Kansas, USC, Oregon, Texas, New Mexico, UConn, Illinois, and Florida State, and others.

In 24 games this past season, Hamilton averaged 17.9 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists per game.  He shot 43% from the floor and 31.3% from 3-point range.

The California native has also entered his name in the NBA Draft but has not hired an agent.  And if he returns to college next season (as expected) the Red Raiders are hoping that he suits up in scarlet and black.

Rated a 4-star prospect by 247sports.com when he came out of high school in the class of 2018, Hamilton was the No. 105 player in the nation.  And now, he’s one of the top transfers on the market.

At 6-foot-4, Hamilton could join Mac McClung next year to give Tech one of the most dynamic backcourts in America.  And given that Tech is likely to lose second-leading scorer Terrence Shannon Jr. to the NBA Draft, Hamilton’s scoring prowess would be a godsend for Mark Adams and Co.

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Having to go to battle at UNLV without another play-making guard to help shoulder the load, Hamilton wasn’t as efficient as one might like to see.  He averaged 2.7 turnovers per game and ranked just 89th among high-usage players in the KenPom.com offensive efficiency rating.

Defensively, Hamilton was an average player.  He surrendered an average of 101.3 points per 100 possessions.

While that would have made him one of the worst defenders on Texas Tech’s roster, it isn’t atrocious.  And playing in the defensive system of Mark Adams would likely do wonders for Hamilton on that end of the court.

Still, Hamilton’s calling card is putting the ball in the bucket.  In 2020-21, he had seven 20-point games.  That included a season-high of 28 against Colorado State.

But to get his points, Hamilton took a ton of shots.  He averaged 16.3 shot attempts this season.  To put that in context, know that Tech’s leader was McClung with 12.2.

Still, we know that Tech is looking for more scoring punch this year, especially with a planned shift to a more up-tempo offense.  And Hamilton would be a great way to bring more firepower to the South Plains.

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