Though it might feel as if every transfer that Texas Tech head coach Grant McCaslin brings into his program proves to be a solid player at the least, some just simply don't pan out. That was the case with forward Devan Cambridge. Now, the former transfer from Arizona State is going to try to finish his career on a positive note at Central Florida.
It was a disappointing two seasons at Texas Tech for the versatile 6-foot-6 forward. That was due to an unfortunate knee injury.
In the eighth game of the 2023-24 season, Cambridge was lost for the year with a torn knee ligament. At the time, he was playing well. A starter for the Red Raiders, he was averaging 10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists.
What's more, he was arguably the team's best defender given his ability to guard almost every position on the court. In fact, he was serving as Tech's backup big man who was capable of checking opposing power forwards and centers for stretches.
Cambridge's absence was a significant blow to McCaslin's first team in Lubbock. As the season progressed, Tech suffered more injuries in the post, with starting center Warren Washington missing a month with a foot injury. That would have been when Cambridge would have been especially useful.
Hopes were high that Cambridge would be able to contribute in 2024-25, though. After receiving a medical hardship waiver to extend his college career, he was cleared for the start of the season.
Primarily coming off the bench (but starting twice), he appeared in six games for Tech, averaging 5.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.3 assists per game. However, because he felt his knee was not fully recovered, he decided to step away from the team.
Then, after the season, Cambridge entered the portal. Now, he feels he is fully healthy, and he's going to try to help the Knights climb the ranks of the Big 12 after a disappointing 2024-25 season.
It is a shame that Cambridge never got to experience a healthy season for the Red Raiders. He was one of the most prized transfers McCasland landed in his first recruiting class on the South Plains but his knee injury robbed him of the opportunity to contribute in a major way.
Texas Tech fans never got to see what the versatile forward can really do on the court, and as a result, many have even forgotten that he was part of the program. Cambridge appeared in only 14 games at Tech, and the Red Raider chapter of his career is going to be less than memorable.
His saga is a reminder of just how fragile basketball careers can be. One injury can derail a promising player and send his path on an unexpected trajectory. Though he will be a Big 12 opponent this season, Tech fans will likely still hope that Cambridge has a nice rebound season and that he can finish his college career on an uptick, just not when he faced the Red Raiders.