Just days after it was reported that Fardaws Aimaq would be entering the transfer portal and leaving Texas Tech without ever playing a game, the big man announced he will instead be staying with the Red Raiders.
He shared the news on his Twitter on Friday afternoon, writing, “Despite the rumours being said the last couple days, the only facts are I’m a red raider and will do whatever I can to be back on the court ASAP.”
This is quite an about-face as most assumed Aimaq was already heading out the door.
He transferred to Lubbock following a dominant season with the Utah Valley Wolverines last season. The 6-11 center was the Western Athletic Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2021-22 while averaging 18.9 points, 13.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, and was also the WAC Player of the Year and DPOY for the 2020-21 season as well.
The center suffered a foot injury in September, but had his hard cast removed on Monday.
Aimaq totaled 27 double-doubles last season, tying him with Kentucky’s Oscar Tschiebwe for the most nationally. Tschiebwe was the 2021-22 National Player of the Year.
The Red Raiders (7-2) host Jackson State on Saturday at United Supermarkets Arena and open Big 12 play on December 31st against the TCU Horned Frogs.
