Last season, Texas Tech basketball fans hardly had time to get to know forward Devan Cambridge before he was lost for the season with a torn knee ligament. After transferring in from Arizona State, the senior played in only eight games for the Red Raiders before going down on December 6 in a home game against Omaha.
Now, it appears that Cambridge could be ready to return to the court for the start of the 2024-25 regular season. According to a post on X by college basketball insider Jon Rothstein, Texas Tech head coach Grant McCasland has said that Cambridge has been “fully cleared for all basketball activities” and he could be ready for the start of the Red Raiders’ season, which begins on November 5th.
Texas Tech’s Devan Cambridge (knee) has been fully cleared for all basketball related activities and could return for the start of the 2024-25 season, per Grant McCasland.
Averaged 10.5 PPG and 4.5 RPG last season in eight games prior to injury.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 25, 2024
When Cambridge went down last season, he was averaging 10.5 points and 4.5 boards per game. He had scored in double figures in five games including four straight before the game in which he was injured.
His best game last year was a 17-point, 7-rebound effort against Michigan in the Bahamas. But only two games later, he sustained his injury.
What makes Cambridge such an important piece of the puzzle for the Red Raiders is his versatility, especially on defense. At 6-foot-6 and 215 pounds, he has the athleticism to guard almost any position on the court.
In fact, prior to his injury, he was not only starting at the small forward spot but he was also playing as the Red Raiders backup center when 7-footer Warren Washington was off the floor. Without Cambridge’s versatility following his injury, Tech was more limited defensively.
In fact, injuries were a huge theme last year for the Red Raiders. In Big 12 play, Washington was lost for the final month of the regular season and the Big 12 Tournament with a foot injury further depleting the Red Raiders inside.
As a result, sophomore Robert Jennings and true freshman Eemeli Yalaho were pressed into action in larger roles than they were prepared to play. What’s more, Washington has graduated and Jennings has transferred to Oklahoma State meaning that behind new transfer big man Federiko Federiko, there isn’t a ton of size on the Red Raider bench.
That’s likely where Cambridge will pay the most dividends for this year’s team. He isn’t likely to regain his starting spot but he could be one of the first players McCasland brings off of the bench to provide size, defense, and athleticism. Those traits could be invaluable for the Red Raiders as they prepare to do battle in the toughest conference in America.
