The Longhorns will have to face the talented transfer this season, assuming he doesn’t remain in the NBA Draft.
The Texas Longhorns missed on a big-time transfer target on Friday when former Utah Valley Wolverines center Fardaws Aimaq committed to the Texas Tech Red Raiders over the Longhorns and others.
excited to put my heart and soul on the line for the LBK❤️ ❤️ pic.twitter.com/4MvYRIkId9
— Fardaws Aimaq (@FardawsAimaq) April 29, 2022
FARDAWS AIMAQ COMMITS LIVE ON THE FIELD OF 68!!! @FardawsAimaq joins @SeanPaulCBB and @GoodmanHoops to make his college commitment!!! https://t.co/4llNj5Sq2W
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) April 29, 2022
However, there’s a chance that the 6’11, 245-pounder never makes it to Lubbock:
.@FardawsAimaq also told @TheFieldOf68 he’s “50/50” on remaining in the NBA Draft and returning to college.
“It will truly depend on if I’m at a place where I think it’s worth it to leave, then I’ll obviously I will take that route.But if it’s not, I’ll come back to school ” https://t.co/kILOUh33cO
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) April 29, 2022
If Aimaq does end up playing for the Red Raiders, he’ll represent a formidable opponent as Longhorns head coach Chris Beard looks for his first win against his former assistant Mark Adams — Aimaq was one of the most highly-coveted players in the NCAA transfer portal after averaging 18.9 points per game with 13.6 rebounds last season while shooting 43.5 percent from beyond the arc.
Texas is currently set to return forwards Timmy Allen and Christian Bishop in the frontcourt as Dylan Disu goes through the NBA Draft process without an agent. Tre Mitchell officially entered the portal nine days ago after taking a personal leave of absence from the Longhorns program back in February.
With Aimaq’s commitment to Texas Tech, Texas is still searching for another frontcourt player with a significant need for shooting and/or a rim protection.