An injured-plagued season has come to an end for the Texas Tech basketball team and now the Red Raiders will head back into the transfer portal to see what the team will look like for the 2026-27 season.
Grant McCasland admitted this year’s team never got to reach its full potential with so many guys missing time with injuries early in the year, then having JT Toppin suffer a season-ending ACL tear just as the team was starting to get healthy elsewhere.
Texas Tech has several avenues to choose from this offseason, but it all starts with the transfer portal.
The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal is bringing you continuous updates to the Texas Tech basketball team’s transfer portal activity. Bookmark this page to keep up.
Who’s joining Texas Tech basketball through the transfer portal?
This section will be updated when players announce their commitment to Texas Tech through the transfer portal, are reported elsewhere or Texas Tech announces their official signing.
Cruz Davis, 6-foot-3, Guard, Senior (Hofstra)
On3 reported Cruz Davis’ commitment to the Red Raiders on April 16. Entering his fifth year of college (one at Iona, four games at St. John’s) Cruz spent the last two years at Hofstra where he earned Colonial Athletic Conference player of the year this past season averaging 20.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists and shooting over 40% from 3-point range.
Which high school recruits are joining Texas Tech basketball?
These are the high school recruits who will be joining the Texas Tech basketball team from the 2026 recruiting class.
Dakari Spear, 6-foot-5, Guard
A four-star recruit out of Dynamic Prep and a Dallas native, Spear had offers from Texas A&M and Vanderbilt, among others, before choosing Texas Tech.
Who’s leaving Texas Tech basketball via the transfer portal?
This section will be updated as players announces their departure through the transfer portal or it is reported elsewhere.
Luke Bamgboye, 6-foot-11, Junior, Center
The Athletic reported April 16 that Bamgboye will enter the transfer portal. Injuries presented a start-and-stop season for the VCU transfer. Initially planned to be paired in frontcourt alongside Toppin, Bamgboye’s role changed greatly late in the year. Has tools to be an elite interior presence.
Jaylen Petty, 6-foot-1, Sophomore, Guard
On3 reported on April 8 that Petty will enter the portal. One of the underrated weapons for Texas Tech this year, averaging nearly 10 points and 4 rebounds per game and shooting 38.5% from 3. On3 reported on April 12 that Petty has committed to UCLA.
Christian Anderson, 6-foot-3, Junior, Guard (NBA Draft)
Jonathon Givony of Draft Express reported on April 7 that Anderson will declare for the 2026 NBA Draft. Just missed on being a consensus All-American, earning third-team status from three of the four entities. Set Texas Tech’s single-season assist record averaging 18.9 points, 7.5 assists and 38.5 minutes per game while shooting 42.3% from 3-point range. Has chance to be first round pick in 2026 NBA Draft if he declares.
Jazz Henderson, 5-foot-11, Sophomore, Guard
Henderson announced his entry into the transfer portal on April 6 after two years in Lubbock, one redshirting after a preseason injury. Primarily a vocal and emotional leader on the bench, Henderson played sparingly in 2025-26. Officially entered the portal on April 7.
LeJuan Watts, 6-foot-6, Senior, Forward
Multiple outlets reported on April 6 that Watts will hit the transfer portal and test the waters for the NBA Draft. Spent one year each at Eastern Washington and Washington State before joining Texas Tech. Had solid but inconsistent junior year, averaging 11.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and shooting 32.4% from 3. Officially entered the portal on April 7.
Nolan Groves, 6-foot-5, Sophomore, Guard
Groves announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on April 3. Started a pair of games but otherwise struggled to find minutes as players got healthier and his inexperience and athleticism made it hard to get him on the floor. Officially entered the portal on April 7.
Leon Horner, 6-foot-4, Junior, Guard
Horner announced his intention to hit the transfer portal on April 1. Saw action in 23 games and had great moments such as helping Tech get the road win at Arizona but averaged just eight minutes per game. Officially entered the portal on April 7.
Which Texas Tech basketball players could return for 2026-27 season?
Below are members of the 2025-26 Texas Tech basketball roster who could return for the 2026-27 season. Players remain in this category until their entry into the transfer portal/NBA Draft is announced or confirmed. Reminder: not every player will publicly announce their return. Academic years reflect their standing for the 2026-27 season.
JT Toppin, 6-foot-9, Senior, Forward
Toppin earned consensus All-American status for the second year in a row (only Texas Tech player in program history to do so) before his season-ending ACL tear in mid-February. Underwent surgery in mid-March. Averaged 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds in 25 games.
Josiah Moseley, 6-foot-8, Junior, Forward
Fractured foot prevented Moseley from making Texas Tech debut until late January but came on strong in extended minutes after Toppin’s injury. Posted 16 points in NCAA Tournament win against Akron. Spent freshman year at Villanova.
Marial Akuentok, 6-foot-11, Sophomore, Center
A bit of a mix of Toppin and Bamgboye, Akuentok is young and still moldable as he continues to learn the pace of the college game. Started the season opener but injuries have plagued him since his arrival in Jan. 2025.
LaTrell Hoover, 7-foot, Freshman, Center
Hoover joined the team in September and redshirted the season. Unclear what his role with the team will be but has raw talent McCasland has raved about.
Which Texas Tech basketball players won’t return for 2026-27 season?
Below is the list of 2025-26 Texas Tech basketball roster members who have either exhausted their eligibility, went through senior day ceremonies or announce departures for the NBA or transfer portal.
Donovan Atwell, 6-foot-5, Guard (Exhausted eligibility)
Atwell broke the Texas Tech single-season 3-point record with plenty of room to spare. Spent 3 years at UNC-Greensboro before joining the Red Raiders for his final year of eligibility. Only player to start and appear in every game in 2025-26.
Tyeree Bryan, 6-foot-5, Guard (Exhausted eligibility)
Bryan never found his full form as a Red Raider after transferring from Santa Clara but stayed engaged with the team and contributed when he could. Began career at Indian River State College and spent one year at Charleston Southern, two at Santa Clara and one at Texas Tech.
Jack Francis, 6-foot-3, Guard (Senior day ceremonies)
Texas Tech owns an undefeated record in home games where Francis takes the floor. Austin native spent three years with Texas Tech.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech basketball 2026 transfer portal tracker: Luke Bamgboye out
Reporting by Nathan Giese, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
