Fansided

5 predictions for No. 1 2021 basketball recruit Jonathan Kuminga: College or go pro?

By Anthony Brown

Jonathan Kuminga dunks. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Jonathan Kuminga dunks. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Jonathan Kuminga
Congolese basketball player Jonathan Kuminga. (Photo by Thomas URBAIN / AFP) (Photo by THOMAS URBAIN/AFP via Getty Images) /

No. 2: Kuminga could look good with the Texas Tech Red Raiders

The Texas Tech Red Raiders finished the 2019-20 season third in the Big 12 with an 18-13 (9-9 Big 12) record. They were led by Jahmi’us Ramsey, Davide Moretti, and Kyler Edwards who averaged 15, 13, and 11 points per game, respectively.

Terrance Shannon Jr. and TJ Holyfield were also key contributors to the Red Raiders’ success. Ramsey led the team in steals with one per game and Holyfield led the team in blocks with about two per game. For Big 12 postseason awards, Ramsey took home Big 12 Freshman of the Year, All-Big 12 Second Team and All-Big 12 Freshman Team honors.

Ramsey declared for the NBA Draft after his stellar season. Even with his loss, the Red Raiders are welcoming a very talented 2020 class. They have the No. 10 2020 recruiting class nationally and the best 2020 class in the conference. It is headlined by four-star recruits Nimari Burnett, Micah Peavy, and Chibuzo Agbo Jr. The Red Raiders were able to land a good trio of transfers in Mac McClung from Georgetown, Marcus Santos-Silva from VCU, and Jamarius Burton from Wichita State. Unless all or a couple of them get eligibility waivers, Red Raiders fans won’t see them on the court until the 2021-22 season.

Kuminga committing to Texas Tech would be huge for Chris Beard and an already loaded Texas Tech roster. The intrigue here is that Kuminga would have the opportunity to play with his brother and Red Raiders Forward Joel Ntambwe. The family connection is a strong pull, their recent Final Four appearance could factor in and the roster fit as well.

At the wing position, where he is being recruited, the Red Raiders have Ntambwe who has to sit out the 2020-21 season, Shannon Jr., Peavy, Agbo Jr., and 2021 four-star recruit Jaylon Tyson. If Kuminga commits to Texas Tech, Coach Beard is going to have to do some maneuvering to make things work. The Red Raiders would be a Final Four team with him on their squad.