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LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech men's basketball announced the signing of freshman guard Amari Barrett and received a commitment from Malian center Bassala Bagayoko on Friday.
Barrett, who was committed to the program earlier, has officially been added to the online roster. Bagayoko underwent the most recent NBA Draft process and has played professionally in Spain's Liga ACB for the past five seasons.
The additions fortify head coach Grant McCasland's roster ahead of the 2026-27 season, one that is plagued by the absence of NBA-bound guard Christian Anderson and his fellow All-American, JT Toppin, who will miss a chunk of the beginning of the season rehabbing his torn ACL.
READ MORE:Texas Tech's Top-Ranked RB Depth Gives Offense Confidence
Barrett hails from Oklahoma City and led his squad at Millwood High School to back-to-back state championships while averaging 17.0 points per game. The 6-4 guard is a 3-star prospect and a top-200 recruit in 247Sports' class of 2026 rankings.
Texas Tech now possesses eight total newcomers on this year's roster, three of whom are true freshmen who have five years of eligibility under the initiation of new NCAA rules.
Barrett was originally committed to Ball State before switching his pledge to the Red Raiders during the summer. He fills out a freshman class that includes Trey Hall and 5-star recruit DaKari Spear.
Bagayoko will also have freshman eligibility as he enters the collegiate ranks for the first time. The 6-10 big man will turn 20 in September and provide critical interior play next to LaTrell Hoover and Marial Akuentok during Toppin's absence.
With Bilbao last season in Liga ACB, Bagayoko shot over 55 percent from the field and averaged 3.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.
Bagayoko is orginally of Mali descent, but moved to Spain to pursue professional basketball at just the age of 12. He made his pro debut two years later for Fuenlabrada in the 2020-21 season.
A torn ACL plagued Bagayoko's next two years, but he showed promise physically last season by appearing in a career-high 31 games and receiving 12.7 minutes a night.
Texas Tech also received commitments from UCF transfer Jamichael Stillwell and NC State transfer Darrion Williams after they were each given an additional year of eligibility.
The Red Raiders start the 2026-27 season on Nov. 2 at home against Jackson State.
Continue reading...
Barrett, who was committed to the program earlier, has officially been added to the online roster. Bagayoko underwent the most recent NBA Draft process and has played professionally in Spain's Liga ACB for the past five seasons.
The additions fortify head coach Grant McCasland's roster ahead of the 2026-27 season, one that is plagued by the absence of NBA-bound guard Christian Anderson and his fellow All-American, JT Toppin, who will miss a chunk of the beginning of the season rehabbing his torn ACL.
READ MORE:Texas Tech's Top-Ranked RB Depth Gives Offense Confidence
Barrett hails from Oklahoma City and led his squad at Millwood High School to back-to-back state championships while averaging 17.0 points per game. The 6-4 guard is a 3-star prospect and a top-200 recruit in 247Sports' class of 2026 rankings.
Texas Tech now possesses eight total newcomers on this year's roster, three of whom are true freshmen who have five years of eligibility under the initiation of new NCAA rules.
Barrett was originally committed to Ball State before switching his pledge to the Red Raiders during the summer. He fills out a freshman class that includes Trey Hall and 5-star recruit DaKari Spear.
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Red Raiders Daily Blitz: Texas Tech Plays Villain Role to National AudienceJoey McGuire says Texas Tech is college football’s most hated team, and the Red Raiders are turning the villain label into motivation for a huge 2026 season.Bagayoko will also have freshman eligibility as he enters the collegiate ranks for the first time. The 6-10 big man will turn 20 in September and provide critical interior play next to LaTrell Hoover and Marial Akuentok during Toppin's absence.
With Bilbao last season in Liga ACB, Bagayoko shot over 55 percent from the field and averaged 3.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.
Bagayoko is orginally of Mali descent, but moved to Spain to pursue professional basketball at just the age of 12. He made his pro debut two years later for Fuenlabrada in the 2020-21 season.
A torn ACL plagued Bagayoko's next two years, but he showed promise physically last season by appearing in a career-high 31 games and receiving 12.7 minutes a night.
Texas Tech also received commitments from UCF transfer Jamichael Stillwell and NC State transfer Darrion Williams after they were each given an additional year of eligibility.
The Red Raiders start the 2026-27 season on Nov. 2 at home against Jackson State.
You must be registered for see images attach
Where Does Texas Tech Land With Strong 2027 Recruiting Class?Texas Tech has secured several high-level recruits from the class of 2027, but where do the Red Raiders stack up among the rest of the nation?Continue reading...
