Texas Tech’s offseason puzzle finally has its finishing touch.
On Monday evening, the program announced the return of Donovan Atwell, giving Grant McCasland’s roster one more major piece for what looks like a serious run in 2026-27. The fifth-year senior’s decision matters because Texas Tech has spent months building with the kind of patience that now looks calculated, not cautious.
Atwell’s path back to Lubbock comes through the wave of court injunctions that have opened the door for players to use the fifth year of eligibility the NCAA granted this offseason. He’s one of several fifth-year seniors across the country taking advantage of that extra season after originally being out of eligibility.
For Texas Tech, though, this is about more than just another experienced guard. Atwell became a quick fan favorite in his lone season on the South Plains, and he already left a real mark on the record book.
Last season, he set the program’s single-season mark with 130 made 3-pointers and also established a Big 12 record with 81 made threes in league play. He averaged 13.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game while knocking down 45.8% of his attempts from deep.
He also brought value on the other end. Atwell was Tech’s best perimeter defender, often taking the toughest guard assignment and still managing to influence games on both sides of the floor. That two-way impact helped him earn honorable-mention All-Big 12 honors.
His summer only added to the buzz. Atwell played in NBA Summer League with the Chicago Bulls and turned heads there too, averaging 10.6 points per game while shooting 48.5% from long range. Now he’s headed back to Lubbock after receiving that fifth year, and Texas Tech has every reason to believe his return raises the ceiling again.
The Red Raiders have also added Jamichael Stillwell, a transfer from UCF, and forward Darrion Williams, who spent last season at NC State after two years in Lubbock. Those moves, combined with Atwell’s return, give McCasland a roster that no longer has obvious holes.
The backcourt looks loaded with Atwell, Cruz Davis and Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, both of whom averaged more than 20 points per game last season at Hofstra and UNLV, respectively. Texas Tech is also bringing in true freshman Dakari Spear, a four-star recruit and one of the top ten high school shooting guards in his class.
Up front, the Red Raiders added international big man Bassala Bagayoko, an athletic presence who gives the roster more size and rim presence in the paint. And the biggest swing factor of all remains JT Toppin, who tore a knee ligament in February. If he gets back to top form at some point during the season, this group has the look of a team built to go beyond the Final Four and win the whole thing.
After a quiet stretch that had fans wondering how the roster would come together, Texas Tech’s plan is suddenly clear. The patience paid off, and with Atwell back in the fold, the Red Raiders have assembled a team that can legitimately think about Detroit.
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For the Red Raiders, the bigger takeaway may be the tone McGuire has set heading toward the 2026 season. His comments framed the backlash as something his team can carry with it, turning outside noise into a source of motivation as Texas Tech keeps building for what comes next. [Read more 🡒]
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That is what makes the Red Raiders so interesting as the season approaches. The preseason rankings only tell part of the story, but Texas Tech is being framed as the kind of team that can move from overlooked to unavoidable if the early returns match the promise. The next question is whether that momentum can turn into the sort of run that puts the Big 12 title picture, and maybe even the College Football Playoff conversation, within reach. [Read more 🡒]