Texas Tech men’s basketball transfer portal tracker: De’Vion Harmon declares for NBA Draft, Daniel Batcho, Elijah Fisher, Fardaws Aimaq, Robert Jennings, KJ Allen enter portal
With the 60-day window for men’s and women’s basketball players to enter their names in the NCAA transfer portal beginning March 13, here’s a look at which Red Raider student-athletes elected to look at their options.
Robert Jennings II, freshman forward
The freshman forward announced Monday on Twitter, his intentions to enter his name into the transfer portal, ”with the possibility of returning to Texas Tech as an option.
“I would like to thank the Texas Tech basketball stall staff for allowing me an opportunity to play at Texas Tech University this year and helping me improve as a player on and off the court,” he wrote in a graphic posted to Twitter. ”I would also like to thank my teammates for the bond that we have created as well as the fans and the city of Lubbock for all the love and passion you guys have had for me since Day one.”
He averaged 2.7 points and 1.9 rebounds in 30 games played, which included four starts.
Elijah Fisher, freshman guard
It was believed the freshman entered his name in the transfer portal, per a report from Joe Tipton of On3Sports that included a Twitter graphic on March 12.
On March 23, Fisher entered his name in the transfer portal, a Texas Tech official confirmed to the Avalanche-Journal.
“Texas Tech freshman Elijah Fisher will transfer, source tells @On3sports,” Tipton wrote Sunday on Twitter, a day before student-athletes could officially enter their names.
A Texas Tech official Monday confirmed Fisher was not in the transfer portal.
A player can enter their name to see prospective options at other programs with the intention of returning. Terrence Shannon, Jr. went through the process before choosing to transfer last season to Illinois near his hometown of Chicago.
More: Texas Tech basketball's Terrence Shannon Jr. enters transfer portal, considering return
The true freshman, who chose to reclassify to the 2022 class, was rated a consensus five-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports. He held 21 offers, choosing the Red Raiders over Kansas, Baylor, Kentucky, Memphis and Florida among other top programs in the country.
He was part of a talented freshmen class — consisting of Pop Isaacs, Lamar Washington and Robert Jennings II — which was pushed into early action due to injuries. That led to plenty of learning lessons and the realization that playing better on defense would lead to more minutes on the court.
Fisher, thanks to his motor on the defensive end and offensive glass, slowly began to earn more minutes down the stretch of the Red Raiders season. The 6-foot-7, guard and forward hybrid averaged 3.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in 28 games played — earning one start.
His best scoring outputs included netting eight points against Jackson State and TCU.
Fisher competed at the varsity level since sixth grade at Crestwood Academy in Toronto. He also made his debut for the Canadian national team last summer, aiding his country to a bronze medal at the FIBA Under-19 World Cup and garnered MVP honors at the BioSteel All-Canadian game in Toronto with a 28-point performance.
KJ Allen, junior forward
Owns one season of eligibility after signing with Texas Tech back on April 15, 2021. He was the first signee by Mark Adams. Allen, who averaged 2.4 points and 2.0 rebounds last season, put his name in the NCAA transfer portal March 15, per a Texas Tech official.
Fardaws Aimaq, Center
Last Wednesday, center Fardaws Aimaq announced he planned to enter his name into the transfer portal. Back on Dec. 16, it was reported the former Utah Valley standout did the same by Stadium reporter Jeff Goodman.
The Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada native refuted the report two days later with a post on social media stating, that he’s still a Red Raider and ‘will do whatever I can be on the court’ on Friday.
“Despite the rumours being said the last couple of day, the only facts are I’m a red raider and will do whatever I can to be back on the ASAP,” Aimaq wrote in a Tweet on Friday. ”Goal hasn’t changed, (ring emoji) chasing.”
Goodman reported Aimaq was expected to transfer Dec. 16, via a source. In a quote Tweet, Goodman wrote, according to a source close to Aimaq, ”One key reason Aimaq is transferring is because he feels he is being rushed back too quickly by Mark Adams from injury.”
More: Center Fardaws Aimaq still a Red Raider, ‘will do whatever I can be on the court’
Aimaq averaged 11.1 points and 7.9 rebounds per game during this, his first season with the Red Raiders. He suffered a foot injury before the season, during an offseason workout and played in only 11 games — making his Tech debut until Jan. 14.
His announcement to place his name in the portal came on the heels of the Red Raiders' first-round loss to West Virginia at the Big 12 basketball tournament in Kansas City and Tech's subsequent announcement that Mark Adams is stepping down as head coach.
In a graphic posted by On3Sports, Aimaq wrote, "With the injury and missing 80% of the season, coming back was my goal and not being fully healthy all season was disappointing. Now with the coaching change and issues off the court with the staff, I will be entering the transfer portal."
A few days later, Aimaq went to Twitter to provide some context about his injury status.
“Funny how they talk crazy when you wanna do what’s best for you🤣🤣 rushed back, wasn’t supposed to play, played at 60%, and taking many different things just to get on the court to play. The injury I had holds out most guys 6-8months to fully recover. Played for my brothers❤️🩹,” he wrote in a Tweet last Thursday.
Daniel Batcho, sophomore forward
The University of Arizona transfer owns two years of eligibility after signing with Texas Tech back on May 22, 2021. His 6-foot-11, 235-pound frame allowed him to lead the team with 35 blocks to go along with averaging 7.9 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. He missed nine games due to lingering knee and foot injuries, while also dislocating a finger on his right hand during the season.
De’Vion Harmon, senior guard
The Oregon transfer guard elected to forgo his final year of eligibility Friday, declaring for the NBA Draft via social media.
Harmon was a workhorse for the Red Raiders, starting all 32 games, logging a team-best 31.1 minutes per game. The Denton, Texas, native was the only player — sans Kevin Obanor — to start all 32 games last season. Harmon also led Texas Tech in assists (3.6) and steals (1.6), while netting 13.6 points per contest en route to All-Big 12 Honorable Mention accolades.
“THANK Y’ALL !!!! Love you guys forever (red heart emoji) #1%,” he posted Friday on Twitter.
Texas Tech men’s basketball roster — as of April 6, 2023
Lamar Washington, freshman guard
Pop Isaacs, freshman guard
CJ Williams, freshman guard, son of Texas Tech assistant Corey Williams
Transfers
Jaylon Tyson, sophomore guard, a mid-year signee and transfer from the University Texas, owns three years of eligibility after signing an athletic scholarship back on Jan. 10, 2022.
D’Maurian Williams, junior guard, owns two years of eligibility after 2023 campaign
Kerwin Walton, junior guard, owns two years of eligibility following the 2023 season
Seniors not returning
Kevin Obanor exhausted all of his eligibility.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This page will be updated throughout the 60-day period, which began March 13.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech men’s hoops portal tracker: Daniel Batcho enters name April 5, joins Elijah Fisher, Fardaws Aimaq, Robert Jennings, KJ Allen
