Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raiders Ink Four During Signing Period
November 15, 2018 | Men's Basketball
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech head coach Chris Beard and the men's basketball program has announced the signing of Kevin McCullar, Jahmius Ramsey, Russel Tchewa and Khalid Thomas to National Letters of Intent.
The signing class includes three four-star prospects and a three-star to join a program which is coming off a NCAA Elite Eight appearance and has started this season with a 3-0 record. Thomas is a transfer from the College of Southern Idaho, while Ramsey signs out of Duncanville High School, McCullar from San Antonio Wagner and Tchewa is a senior at Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut. Â
KEVIN McCULLAR | GUARD | 6-6 | SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
With ties to Texas Tech with his father a former Red Raider football player and his mother a Tech graduate, McCullar committed in the summer before making his selection official this week. A 6-foot-6 guard, McCullar played at San Antonio Wagner High School as a junior and will graduate early and enroll at Texas Tech at mid-term.
McCullar helped his high school team to the Class 6A title game as a sophomore before averaging 16.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game last year. He chose the Red Raiders over Kansas State, Louisville, Houston and Virginia Tech. ESPN lists him as a top-30 national player and rivals.com lists him as a 4 Star prospect.
Corey Evans (Rivals): "Kevin McCullar is another mix and match guard that defines versatility. I love his intangibles and ability to touch various portions of the stat sheet. Best ball is ahead of him and have not issues settling in as a backcourt contributor early on."
Blue Zertuche (Texas Hoops): "There is a high ceiling for Kevin and he worked his way into being among the elites in the state and the country. Kevin's versatility and play making ability will allow for success in the Big 12 and will be a player that has the length and size to compete."
JAHMIUS RAMSEY | GUARD | 6-4 | DUNCANVILLE, TEXAS
Ramsey is the highest rated recruit in program history with a national ranking of 28 on the ESPN 100 list and at No. 33 by 247Sports. He is a four-star by ESPN, 247Sports and Rivals who had 22 offers before choosing the Red Raiders.
A Duncanville, Texas native, Ramsey is a senior at Duncanville High School and committed to Texas Tech on Nov. 8 after also receiving offers from Florida, Indiana, Memphis, Louisville, LSU and Oregon among others. A 6-foot 4 shooting guard, he's ranked fifth nationally at his position by ESPN and is the third highest rated played in the state of Texas at No. 3 by 24/7 Sports.
Ramsey joins Texas Tech freshman Kyler Edwards who was also a four-star shooting guard in last year's signing class and gives the Red Raiders two straight years of ESPN 100 signees after Khavon Moore chose Tech as the No. 43-ranked player in last year's class. Â
Evan Daniels (247Sports): "Jahmius Ramsey is one of the most dynamic guards in the 2019 class. He's an impressive athlete that can be utilized on or off the ball. He has good vision and can pass, is effective in transition and is a good finisher at the rim. On top of all that, he has the tools to be a great defender one day. There's immense potential wrapped up in Ramsey's frame."
Jon Rothstein (CBS Sports): "Jahmius Ramsey is a program changing recruit for Chris Beard and Texas Tech. The Red Raiders became a national name last season by reaching the Elite Eight and adding Ramsey will only augment their brand."
RUSSEL TCHEWA | CENTER | 7-0 | CAMEROON
A 7-foot, 250-pound center currently playing at Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut, Tchewa signs with the Red Raiders as a 3-star prospect by Rivals. Tchewa played three years of prep basketball in Italy.Â
Texas Tech sophomore Malik Ondigo and freshman Josh Mballa also played at Putnam Science Academy.
Jeff Borzello (ESPN): "This could end up being a steal for Texas Tech. Russel Tchewa has the potential to be a major factor as he develops. We're talking about a 7-footer who can run the floor and finish in transition, or get the ball in the post and score with his back to the basket. Guys with size and athleticism don't come around every day."
Eric Bossi (Rivals): Russel Tchewa is a throwback low post player who plays with physicality and tries to punish the rim whenever possible. He's an interior enforcer who controls the glass and scores on the block.
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Thomas will transfer to Texas Tech after two years at the College of Southern Idaho where he is coming off a freshman season averaging 14.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Regarded as one of the top junior college players in the nation, he helped lead the team to the NJCAA championship game last season and attracted offers from throughout the country. Street and Smith lists Thomas as their Preseason Player of the Year.
Thomas chose the Red Raiders over Arizona, Baylor, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Florida State among 14 offers. A four-star recruit, Thomas was a NJCAA All-American selection last season at CSI and committed to Texas Tech on Sept. 28. Thomas shot 54.8 percent from the field and 41.4 on 3-pointers as a freshman.
Jeff Borzello (ESPN): "Khalid Thomas is going to make an impact at Texas Tech because of two reasons: his fit in Chris Beard's motion offense, and his college-level experience. Thomas is very skilled for his size, and shot better than 41 percent from 3-point range last season. But because he is 6-foot-9, he can rebound very well too. There's a reason he was a JUCO All-American and one of the favorites for JUCO Player of the Year this season."
Eric Bossi (Rivals): "Khalid Thomas is one of the premier junior college prospects in the country. He's a long and fluid athlete who can really make defenses pay with his ability to face up and shoot the ball from deep."
The signing class includes three four-star prospects and a three-star to join a program which is coming off a NCAA Elite Eight appearance and has started this season with a 3-0 record. Thomas is a transfer from the College of Southern Idaho, while Ramsey signs out of Duncanville High School, McCullar from San Antonio Wagner and Tchewa is a senior at Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut. Â
KEVIN McCULLAR | GUARD | 6-6 | SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
With ties to Texas Tech with his father a former Red Raider football player and his mother a Tech graduate, McCullar committed in the summer before making his selection official this week. A 6-foot-6 guard, McCullar played at San Antonio Wagner High School as a junior and will graduate early and enroll at Texas Tech at mid-term.
McCullar helped his high school team to the Class 6A title game as a sophomore before averaging 16.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game last year. He chose the Red Raiders over Kansas State, Louisville, Houston and Virginia Tech. ESPN lists him as a top-30 national player and rivals.com lists him as a 4 Star prospect.
Corey Evans (Rivals): "Kevin McCullar is another mix and match guard that defines versatility. I love his intangibles and ability to touch various portions of the stat sheet. Best ball is ahead of him and have not issues settling in as a backcourt contributor early on."
Blue Zertuche (Texas Hoops): "There is a high ceiling for Kevin and he worked his way into being among the elites in the state and the country. Kevin's versatility and play making ability will allow for success in the Big 12 and will be a player that has the length and size to compete."
Â?????????? #4To1 @Kevin_McCullar is official and will be joining us here at #TexasTech at mid-term!
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) November 15, 2018
??#WreckEm??#NationalSigningDay pic.twitter.com/QzFFUW2LaP
JAHMIUS RAMSEY | GUARD | 6-4 | DUNCANVILLE, TEXAS
Ramsey is the highest rated recruit in program history with a national ranking of 28 on the ESPN 100 list and at No. 33 by 247Sports. He is a four-star by ESPN, 247Sports and Rivals who had 22 offers before choosing the Red Raiders.
A Duncanville, Texas native, Ramsey is a senior at Duncanville High School and committed to Texas Tech on Nov. 8 after also receiving offers from Florida, Indiana, Memphis, Louisville, LSU and Oregon among others. A 6-foot 4 shooting guard, he's ranked fifth nationally at his position by ESPN and is the third highest rated played in the state of Texas at No. 3 by 24/7 Sports.
Ramsey joins Texas Tech freshman Kyler Edwards who was also a four-star shooting guard in last year's signing class and gives the Red Raiders two straight years of ESPN 100 signees after Khavon Moore chose Tech as the No. 43-ranked player in last year's class. Â
Evan Daniels (247Sports): "Jahmius Ramsey is one of the most dynamic guards in the 2019 class. He's an impressive athlete that can be utilized on or off the ball. He has good vision and can pass, is effective in transition and is a good finisher at the rim. On top of all that, he has the tools to be a great defender one day. There's immense potential wrapped up in Ramsey's frame."
Jon Rothstein (CBS Sports): "Jahmius Ramsey is a program changing recruit for Chris Beard and Texas Tech. The Red Raiders became a national name last season by reaching the Elite Eight and adding Ramsey will only augment their brand."
Â?????????? #4To1
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) November 14, 2018
You're going to love watching @newanimprovedJR play here at #TexasTech.
??#WreckEm??#NationalSigningDay pic.twitter.com/3I2MawApgc
RUSSEL TCHEWA | CENTER | 7-0 | CAMEROON
A 7-foot, 250-pound center currently playing at Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut, Tchewa signs with the Red Raiders as a 3-star prospect by Rivals. Tchewa played three years of prep basketball in Italy.Â
Texas Tech sophomore Malik Ondigo and freshman Josh Mballa also played at Putnam Science Academy.
Jeff Borzello (ESPN): "This could end up being a steal for Texas Tech. Russel Tchewa has the potential to be a major factor as he develops. We're talking about a 7-footer who can run the floor and finish in transition, or get the ball in the post and score with his back to the basket. Guys with size and athleticism don't come around every day."
Eric Bossi (Rivals): Russel Tchewa is a throwback low post player who plays with physicality and tries to punish the rim whenever possible. He's an interior enforcer who controls the glass and scores on the block.
Â
KHALID THOMAS | FORWARD | 6-9 | PORTLAND, OREGON???????? #4To1
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) November 15, 2018
A big day, just got a lot bigger... #TexasTech officially welcomes Russel Tchewa. A Cameroon native, Tchewa is a 7-foot center who currently plays at Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut.
??#WreckEm??#NationalSigningDay pic.twitter.com/JIVDuYnEIA
Thomas will transfer to Texas Tech after two years at the College of Southern Idaho where he is coming off a freshman season averaging 14.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Regarded as one of the top junior college players in the nation, he helped lead the team to the NJCAA championship game last season and attracted offers from throughout the country. Street and Smith lists Thomas as their Preseason Player of the Year.
Thomas chose the Red Raiders over Arizona, Baylor, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Florida State among 14 offers. A four-star recruit, Thomas was a NJCAA All-American selection last season at CSI and committed to Texas Tech on Sept. 28. Thomas shot 54.8 percent from the field and 41.4 on 3-pointers as a freshman.
Jeff Borzello (ESPN): "Khalid Thomas is going to make an impact at Texas Tech because of two reasons: his fit in Chris Beard's motion offense, and his college-level experience. Thomas is very skilled for his size, and shot better than 41 percent from 3-point range last season. But because he is 6-foot-9, he can rebound very well too. There's a reason he was a JUCO All-American and one of the favorites for JUCO Player of the Year this season."
Eric Bossi (Rivals): "Khalid Thomas is one of the premier junior college prospects in the country. He's a long and fluid athlete who can really make defenses pay with his ability to face up and shoot the ball from deep."
Â?????????? #4To1 @khalid_thomas7 is a JUCO All-American and Rivals 4-Star recruit joining the #TexasTech roster in the 2019-20 season.
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) November 14, 2018
??#WreckEm??#NationalSigningDay pic.twitter.com/qolpb5vMXT
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