Though the Texas Tech basketball program has been in the middle of the sport's transfer portal frenzy this month, the high school ranks are also an area that the Red Raiders are keeping an eye on. In fact, it is being reported that an intriguing high school prospect will soon visit Lubbock.
According to multiple sources, including Jarret Johnson of 247Sports, Nolan Groves, a guard from Minnesota, will be visiting Texas Tech this weekend. This is a recruit who wouldn't set the internet ablaze should he pick the Red Raiders, but rather, he is an intriguing player to bring into the fold as a developmental project.
The 6-foot-4, 190-pound shooting guard is not ranked by any of the major recruiting services. However, that doesn't mean that he is not valued by power-conference programs. In addition to Texas Tech, he has offers from Minnesota and Wisconsin while receiving interest from Clemson.
The 2025 Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year, Groves was originally committed to Yale of the Ivy League. However, this past Saturday, he opened his recruitment back up, and since he's received all three of his power-conference offers.
#TexasTech's hosting Minnesota Gatorade POTY (@NolanGroves4) on an official visit next weekend.
— Jarret Johnson (@JohnsonJarret) April 14, 2025
"I've talked to all of the coaches at Tech a lot and I've loved the relationship we have forming."
Full story: https://t.co/ek0VucUTi1 #GunsUp #WreckEm pic.twitter.com/OqiUaxTxpe
As a senior in the 2024-25 season, he posted monster numbers. Groves averaged 34.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game to open some eyes around the basketball recruiting world.
Of course, Tech has room to bring in a developmental guard given that the program has lost four guards from this past season (Chance McMillian, Elijah Hawkins, Kerwin Walton, and Kevin Overton). However, Groves doesn't seem to be an instant-impact high school prospect.
Rather, this would likely be a low-cost addition who won't command a ton of NIL compensation. What's more, he likely would not arrive expecting to be given regular minutes right away.
Players of that ilk are necessary for programs as they allow the team to round out the roster with cost-effective options who can help the team operate practices with a full team while they develop. So adding the top player in Minnesota to fill that role wouldn't be a bad move.
Interestingly, Tech has had recent success with players who had ties to Minnesota. This year, Walton, a Hopkins, Minnesota native, and Hawkins, a transfer from Minnesota, were two of the Red Raiders' starting guards, helping the program advance to the Elite Eight. Now, it appears that Grant McCasland and Co. could be heading back to that well to try to add Groves to the mix as the 2025-26 roster continues to take shape.