Texas Tech Basketball: Mac McClung leaves transfer portal

Texas Tech guard Mac McClung has removed his name from the transfer portal.

One of the biggest offseason developments for new Texas Tech basketball coach Mark Adams has taken an exciting turn. Guard Mac McClung, who entered the transfer portal earlier this month, has now removed his name from the portal, meaning the Red Raiders could return their top scorer next season.

Just didn’t feel right in my heart. Whatever decision I make in the near future with the NBA process , I will always want to be apart of Red Raider Nation. https://t.co/4OV6zFWGMb
— mac mcclung (@McclungMac) April 22, 2021

McClung is still going through the NBA draft process, so it’s not a certainty that he will be back in Lubbock next season. He has until July 19 to remove his name from the draft. But if he does play collegiate ball, we do know it will be for the Red Raiders. ESPN’s latest NBA mock draft does not have McClung being taken, so his chances of returning look good.

After transferring from Georgetown, McClung led Texas Tech with 15.5 points per game last season, shooting 42 percent overall and 34 percent from deep. His athleticism and shot creating ability was badly needed, and having him back will be a huge boost. He also would have needed a waiver from the NCAA in order to be eligible somewhere else next year, so that likely factored into his decision as well.

Texas Tech’s Outlook

So far, Texas Tech has seen four players transfer — Kyler Edwards (Houston), Jamarius Burton (Pittsburgh), Micah Peavy (TCU), and Vladislav Goldin (FAU), with Tyreek Smith still in the portal. Terrence Shannon also seems likely to go to the NBA, though there’s a slim chance he could still return. That’s a lot to lose, but it can be overcome.

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McClung’s returning alongside Kevin McCullar, Clarence Nadolny, Marcus Santos-Silva, Avery Benson and Chibuzo Agbo is a great place to start. Adams has already added Dallas Baptist transfer Chandler Jacobs, JUCO standout and former USC commit K.J. Allen, and local high school prospect Ethan Duncan, all of whom can provide some extra scoring punch.

Texas Tech is still active in the transfer market, so expect some more additions as we move along. The Red Raiders in particular could use another big man or two alongside Santos-Silva, and don’t be surprised if Adams reels in another shooting threat from deep. His stated intent to run a more up-tempo offense should leave plenty of opportunities for guys to score.

McClung would also benefit from the scheme change, as would most players. Texas Tech will still run the same suffocating defense under Adams, and adding a more exciting and potent style of offense could lead to some really fun basketball. If the coaching staff continues to add talented players, as we expect they will, we could even see a better team than what we saw this year.