Texas Tech women’s basketball continues to reshape its roster with intent and urgency in the transfer portal, this time landing a major commitment from All-Mountain West guard Destinee Hooks.
A proven three-level scorer with one year of eligibility remaining, Hooks arrives in Lubbock after a highly competitive recruiting battle. The finalists included Alabama, NC State, and Oklahoma, among others. Hooks will become the fourth addition during the offseason for the Lady Raiders, after Tahys Da Silva, Kiki Smith, and Rhema Collins. The team is working to retool a roster with several key losses, including nine seniors and two transfers, after a deep postseason run.
A Proven Scorer
The 5-foot-9 scoring guard from Indianapolis, Indiana, earned All-State and Defensive Player of the Year honors in high school, yet still managed to fly under the radar during recruiting. That led her to the junior college route, where she immediately dominated with:
Hooks’ production quickly caught the attention of Division I programs, and she transferred into the Mountain West, becoming an instant offensive engine for New Mexico. For the Lobos, she averaged:
Hooks’ scoring bursts showed up quickly, but none more telling than a 26-point performance against none other than Texas Tech in Lubbock. That game serves as a reminder that she is already battle-tested this program and thrived in the building. This past season, she has elevated her game even further with:
Why Texas Tech Moved Fast
Hooks’ decision to leave followed a coaching change at New Mexico after longtime head coach Mike Bradberry departed for a role at Louisville. That opened the door for Texas Tech to aggressively pursue a guard who fits exactly what modern Big 12 basketball demands. Hooks brings something that the Lady Raiders have been searching for, a guard who can bend a defense on her own terms. And if Tech is going to stay relevant in a stacked Big 12, this is the type of addition that can change the trajectory of the program.
This article originally appeared on Red Raiders Wire: Destinee Hooks transfers to Texas Tech as Lady Raiders reload roster
Reporting by Lauren Beasley, Red Raiders Wire / Red Raiders Wire
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