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Texas Tech basketball: 3 newcomers who are likely to start for the Red Raiders

By Matthew Conner

HONOLULU, HI - DECEMBER 22: Bryson Williams #11 of the UTEP Miners lines up a shot during the first half of the game against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at the Stan Sheriff Center on December 22, 2019 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
HONOLULU, HI - DECEMBER 22: Bryson Williams #11 of the UTEP Miners lines up a shot during the first half of the game against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at the Stan Sheriff Center on December 22, 2019 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /
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LUBBOCK, TEXAS – JANUARY 25: Texas Tech Red Raiders cheerleaders stand on the court during a timeout during the second half of the college basketball game against the Kentucky Wildcats on January 25, 2020 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – JANUARY 25: Texas Tech Red Raiders cheerleaders stand on the court during a timeout during the second half of the college basketball game against the Kentucky Wildcats on January 25, 2020 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

G – Davion Warren

Kyler Edwards…gone.  Mac McClung…gone.  Jamarius Burton…gone.  Nimari Burnett…long gone.  So to say that Adams needed to add talent at the guard position this offseason would have been an understatement.

That’s exactly what he did as he brought in six guards, five from the transfer portal.  And the one that Red Raider fans should be most excited about this year is Hampton transfer Davion Warren.

A 6-foot-6, 205-pound native of Buffalo, New York, Warren comes to Tech off of a season that saw him average an impressive 21.2 points and 6. 3 rebounds per game.  But there’s a bit of a catch to those numbers.

Last year, Hampton played a conference-only schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Thus, Warren didn’t face any teams from a major conference, which made his life much easier as the Big South is not necessarily known for being a basketball power.

Still, Warren should come to Tech and make an immediate impact, even if he doesn’t top the 20-point per game mark this year.

One thing to like about his game, and something that is replicable in the Big 12, is that Warren averaged 5.7 free throws per contest last year.  Now, that number probably decreases this year given that he won’t be Tech’s entire offense as he was for Hampton last season, but it is indicative of his aggressiveness and a sign that he’s going to attack the rim.

On the other hand, Warren was not a great outside shooter last season.  Hitting only 30.2% of the 6.4 3-pointers he attempted per game in 2020-21, he saw his 3-point shooting percentage drop nearly seven percent from the previous season.

But this year, Warren will be surrounded by much more talent than he ever has been in his career.  Playing next to Kevin McCullar Jr. and Terrence Shannon Jr. in the Red Raider starting backcourt, Warren isn’t likely going to be the focal point of opposing teams and that could allow him to be a more efficient player this year.

Of the three players we’ve discussed here, Warren is the wild card.  It is conceivable that another player could beat him out for a starting spot.  But he is the type of aggressive, attacking guard that this program needs after losing McClung to the professional ranks. So don’t be surprised to see Warren fill out Tech’s starting five next Tuesday when the season tips off.

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