The worm continues to turn for the Texas Tech basketball program. Fortunately, on Thursday, it turned in a positive direction.
Just two days after reports surfaced that forward Devan Cambridge was entering the transfer portal, it is now being reported that he never submitted the portal paperwork and he will be returning to Texas Tech next season.
Obviously, this is welcome news for a Texas Tech program looking at massive turnover next season. Still, there are eight Red Raiders potentially departing the program with six members of last season's team reportedly heading to the transfer portal.
Cambridge could be a tremendous asset to the Red Raiders next season. That is assuming he will be fully recovered from the knee injury that caused him to miss the entire season after just eight games played.
Report: Devan Cambridge reverses course, plans to return to Texas Tech basketball https://t.co/Sv28ESOI7M
— A-J Sports (@RaiderSports) April 4, 2024
Cambridge is the type of player that Texas Tech missed this past season. At 6-foot-6, he is a versatile defender with excellent athleticism and length to boot.
On offense, he's a slasher who can create offense off of the dribble while also crashing the offensive glass. On defense, he is capable of guarding multiple positions on the floor as he did for Grant McCasland prior to his injury.
What's more, this apparent about-face is a stark reminder to Texas Tech fans that all is not always as it seems when it comes to the transfer portal. After all, so-called "sources" are quick to be the first to report when they believe a player is going to enter the portal and often, they do so before the official paperwork has been filed.
What's more, we are dealing with young people who can be a bit unpredictable when it comes to decisions about their future. Regardless, Red Raider fans should be happy to see Cambridge return.
The Red Raiders still need to add plenty to next year's roster but Cambridge's presence should fill a significant hole. It could be exciting to see him play next to Darrion Williams, the Nevada transfer who had a breakout season for the Red Raiders in 2023-24 averaging 11.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, for an entire season.
Texas Tech basketball fans have to remember to keep their heads on a swivel in the upcoming days and weeks as the portal frenzy heats up. Fortunately, after a couple of weeks of seeing a hoard of players leave, the portal saga has turned Tech's way in at least one instance.