SPOTLIGHT: Jarrett Culver
October 29, 2018 | Men's Basketball
Before we get to accomplishments, accolades and projections, it's important to understand that Jarrett Culver doesn't care about any of it. As the season approaches, his name is appearing everywhere from preseason national and conference watch lists to being identified as a professional draft prospect. He's one of the most talked about college basketball sophomores in the nation, but only wants to talk about Texas Tech and how he is going to help the Red Raiders succeed.
"I'm just focused on my team and have been preparing to do everything I can to help us win," Culver said. "I'm not worried about anything else. It's all about this team for me. All I'm thinking about every day is what can I do to get better to help us win. I'm blessed to be healthy and to be able to do what I love to do out there on the court."
Culver enters his sophomore season in the national consciousness after a freshman campaign where he averaged 11.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game during the Red Raider run to the NCAA Elite Eight. It was a magical season, one that saw him explode onto the scene and establish himself as one of the most dynamic returners in college basketball. During that time last year he was also gaining valuable lessons from a group of five seniors and roommate, Zhaire Smith, who would be selected in the NBA Draft after his freshman season. It all plays into who Culver is now and how he wants to evolve into a leader this season.
"Our guys last year really helped define who I am now," Culver said. "They were all really experienced and were all about the team. None of them played selfishly. They taught me how to be a good teammate and that the next game on the schedule is all that matters. Zhaire was focused and never took a day off. We don't look ahead and we don't play for ourselves. I got that from them last year."
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Those are all impressive numbers, but they're not the only reason he's receiving attention and respect. Â Â
"I'm on the record proudly and confidently," Texas Tech head coach Chris Beard said. "Jarrett Culver has a chance to be one of the best players in college basketball. The great thing about Culver are the things that most people don't know. Everybody sees the length, the athleticism and the talent, but what I see is the love of the game. Culver is old school in a lot of ways. He loves basketball and is a student of the game. As a young player he watches more film than any guy I've ever coached. He goes above and beyond what's asked of him in the film room and is a popular guy in the locker room. Culver is special."
Culver was named to the 2018 All-Big 12 Academic Rookie Team after the season where he proved to be explosive getting to the basket and dangerous from beyond the arc where he hit 38.2 percent of his shots. He went 5-for-7 against Seton Hall and knocked down four 3-pointers in games against Oklahoma State, TCU and Kansas in Big 12 play. He has prepared himself to take on an even greater role as a scorer, rebounder and leader for the Red Raiders in his second season. He's only a sophomore and carries himself humbly, but has positioned himself as a leader through his dedication and what he brings to the team. He can score, rebound and pass, but his leadership is coming through by the way he practices and approaches each task.
"Jarrett not only helps our team with his raw talent, but he helps us with his discipline and hunger for the game," said senior Norense Odiase, who is entering his fifth year with the program. "He's a sponge. You tell him something and he'll do it the next second. His work ethic is contagious and he's someone that guys around him follow."
"JC is a person of high character that I have grown to respect so much in my short time here," added Tariq Owens, who arrived at Texas Tech as a graduate transfer after playing the last two seasons at St. John's. "He is one of the hardest workers I've been around who always brings positive energy. He will be huge in our success this year."
"It's scary how good you can be when you have a lot of talent and also a great work ethic," said Texas Tech senior Matt Mooney who transferred from South Dakota. "That's Jarrett Culver. He's a very versatile player and I think he's ready to take the next step this year."
Everything that he has accomplished and what he could achieve this season isn't what important at the moment for him. He's focused on the present and taking the necessary steps that could eventually lead to where so many think he can go. His mindset right now is that Incarnate Word on Tuesday, Nov. 6 is the most important game he'll ever play. That's his sincere approach and why so many think he's primed for a big season. Â
"I'm just ready to get this going again," Culver said. "I dedicated myself to working on free throws, my shots, the weight room and film so that I'm prepared to be the best that I can be. I feel like everything that I put into the summer and preseason is going to help the team out. That really is all I care about."
"I'm just focused on my team and have been preparing to do everything I can to help us win," Culver said. "I'm not worried about anything else. It's all about this team for me. All I'm thinking about every day is what can I do to get better to help us win. I'm blessed to be healthy and to be able to do what I love to do out there on the court."
Culver enters his sophomore season in the national consciousness after a freshman campaign where he averaged 11.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game during the Red Raider run to the NCAA Elite Eight. It was a magical season, one that saw him explode onto the scene and establish himself as one of the most dynamic returners in college basketball. During that time last year he was also gaining valuable lessons from a group of five seniors and roommate, Zhaire Smith, who would be selected in the NBA Draft after his freshman season. It all plays into who Culver is now and how he wants to evolve into a leader this season.
"Our guys last year really helped define who I am now," Culver said. "They were all really experienced and were all about the team. None of them played selfishly. They taught me how to be a good teammate and that the next game on the schedule is all that matters. Zhaire was focused and never took a day off. We don't look ahead and we don't play for ourselves. I got that from them last year."
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Culver is one of 20 national candidates for the Jerry West Award, a Big 12 Preseason Honorable Mention selection and has been listed as a potential first-round draft pick in next year's NBA draft. Those honors come after he scored in double figures in 20 games last season and recorded career-highs with 26 points and 12 rebounds at West Virginia. He finished his first year with four games scoring 20 or more points, led Texas Tech with 55 3-pointers and was second on the team with 177 rebounds, 41 steals and 27 blocks. A star at Lubbock Coronado HS, he averaged 12.7 points per game in Big 12 play last season, including going for 25 against Oklahoma State, 20 at TCU and then having the career night against the Mountaineers. His first season saw him score 12 in the win at Kansas, record a 13/11 double-double at the Big 12 Championships against Texas and score 11 points against No. 23 Florida and No. 2 Villanova in the NCAA tournament.Â?????
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) October 25, 2018
Starring: @jarrettc08
Featuring: @kingno_ @CoachBeardTTU @sportsiren @Brand1fr @Sneaky_Bounce @TexasTechMBB @ginojared @lizcope @MoonSwag13 @CoachCyprien @BrianBurg1 @Big12Conference #4To1
Producer: @TheMattMika pic.twitter.com/GgB5yif9Qn
Those are all impressive numbers, but they're not the only reason he's receiving attention and respect. Â Â
"I'm on the record proudly and confidently," Texas Tech head coach Chris Beard said. "Jarrett Culver has a chance to be one of the best players in college basketball. The great thing about Culver are the things that most people don't know. Everybody sees the length, the athleticism and the talent, but what I see is the love of the game. Culver is old school in a lot of ways. He loves basketball and is a student of the game. As a young player he watches more film than any guy I've ever coached. He goes above and beyond what's asked of him in the film room and is a popular guy in the locker room. Culver is special."
Culver was named to the 2018 All-Big 12 Academic Rookie Team after the season where he proved to be explosive getting to the basket and dangerous from beyond the arc where he hit 38.2 percent of his shots. He went 5-for-7 against Seton Hall and knocked down four 3-pointers in games against Oklahoma State, TCU and Kansas in Big 12 play. He has prepared himself to take on an even greater role as a scorer, rebounder and leader for the Red Raiders in his second season. He's only a sophomore and carries himself humbly, but has positioned himself as a leader through his dedication and what he brings to the team. He can score, rebound and pass, but his leadership is coming through by the way he practices and approaches each task.
"Jarrett not only helps our team with his raw talent, but he helps us with his discipline and hunger for the game," said senior Norense Odiase, who is entering his fifth year with the program. "He's a sponge. You tell him something and he'll do it the next second. His work ethic is contagious and he's someone that guys around him follow."
"JC is a person of high character that I have grown to respect so much in my short time here," added Tariq Owens, who arrived at Texas Tech as a graduate transfer after playing the last two seasons at St. John's. "He is one of the hardest workers I've been around who always brings positive energy. He will be huge in our success this year."
"It's scary how good you can be when you have a lot of talent and also a great work ethic," said Texas Tech senior Matt Mooney who transferred from South Dakota. "That's Jarrett Culver. He's a very versatile player and I think he's ready to take the next step this year."
Everything that he has accomplished and what he could achieve this season isn't what important at the moment for him. He's focused on the present and taking the necessary steps that could eventually lead to where so many think he can go. His mindset right now is that Incarnate Word on Tuesday, Nov. 6 is the most important game he'll ever play. That's his sincere approach and why so many think he's primed for a big season. Â
"I'm just ready to get this going again," Culver said. "I dedicated myself to working on free throws, my shots, the weight room and film so that I'm prepared to be the best that I can be. I feel like everything that I put into the summer and preseason is going to help the team out. That really is all I care about."
Â?????@jarrettc08 Mic'd Up Drops 10.25.2018
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) October 24, 2018
??#WreckEm? #4To1 pic.twitter.com/T1kKGnl37T
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