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Texas Tech basketball: Alabama transfer still in play for Red Raiders

By Matthew Conner

Mar 22, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Jaden Shackelford (5) drives against Maryland Terrapins forward Donta Scott (24) in the first half in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Jaden Shackelford (5) drives against Maryland Terrapins forward Donta Scott (24) in the first half in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Though the 2021-22 Texas Tech basketball roster has come together quite nicely for head coach Mark Adams and his coaching staff, many believe that there is still a need for a playmaking guard to be added to the mix.  And one such player that Tech is targeting is Alabama’s Jaden Shackelford, who is in the transfer portal and who has recently cut his list of potential suitors down to Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech as well as keeping open the possibility of a return to Bama according to Jon Rothstein.

Last season, the 6-foot-3 guard led the Crimson Tide in scoring at 14.0 points per game.  What’s more, he pulled down 3.8 rebounds and dished out 2.0 assists in helping the Tide reach the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament.

It is believed that Tech is still looking to add a ball-dominant guard, even if that player isn’t a traditional point guard the likes of which many Red Raider fans have been hoping to see added to the roster.  And that strategy would make sense given what the program lost this offseason.

By seeing both Mac McClung and Kyler Edwards leave, Tech has had to face the prospect of replacing last season’s starting backcourt.  Combined, those two players averaged 28.4 points and 3.5 assists per game.

Thus, adding help at the guard spots was a priority this offseason.  And fortunately, Tech has already added one huge piece to the backcourt.

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By signing former Hampton guard Davion Warren as a transfer, Adams has already brought to Lubbock a player who averaged a whopping 21 points per game last season.  Many assume that Warren has the inside track on a starting spot on next year’s team but should Shackelford decide to don the Double T, there could be some nice competition for that starting job next to Kevin McCullar and Terrence Shannon Jr.

A California native, Shackelford has averaged over 14 p.p.g. in each of his two collegiate seasons.  And against some elite competition in the SEC, he’s become a rather grizzled veteran thanks to 64 career games and 51 starts.

Many believe that Tech and Oklahoma are the two front runners in this recruiting battle.  That’s because Ohio State recently secured a commitment from Louisiana transfer Cedric Russell, who averaged over 17 points per game last season and who is essentially the same type of player as Shackelford.

Right now, Tech still has two open scholarships to award for next season.  Oral Roberts forward Kevin Obanor is believed to be the other top target that the Red Raiders are hoping to land and the 6-foot-8 forward is also likely to make his decision soon.

It’s all going to add up to an interesting July for Texas Tech basketball fans.  And if Tech lands either Shackelford and/or Obanor, November through March could be even more fascinating.

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