Four-star prospect Ramsey chooses Red Raiders

Last season, the Texas Tech men's basketball team made history by reaching the NCAA Elite Eight for the first time in program history.

The Red Raider coaching staff will distinguish itself, once again, thanks in part to a program-changing commitment Thursday morning.

Jahmius Ramsey, a four-star guard prospect in the Class of 2019, elected to join the fast-rising Texas Tech basketball program. Ramsey is the highest-ranked recruit to pledge to the Red Raiders in recent history and second ESPN 100 recruit to pledge to the Red Raiders in back to-back years — following Khavon Moore (ranked 43rd) from the Class of 2018.

"He's a highly-ranked player and that's always good for business and how you're perceived by prospects and in the recruiting circles," 247Sports director of basketball scouting Jerry Meyer said of Ramsey's impact on the Red Raider's recruiting. "Also, he's just a great fit for what Texas Tech is looking for in that regard. Athletic, long and a good defender."

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound backcourt standout, who is from Arlington, Texas, is currently playing for Duncanville High School. Ramsey, who visited Texas Tech back on Sept. 8 and was recruited by Red Raider assistant Glynn Cyprien, held 22 offers and trimmed down the list to the Red Raiders, Memphis and Louisville per Rivals.com and 247Sports.

Ramsey is ranked high when you look at any of the national recruiting websites such as 247Sports, Rivals.com or ESPN.

All three agree the guard is a four-star prospect, while ESPN provides a scout grade of 89 in addition to naming him the No. 5 shooting guard at his position, No. 3 regionally and No. 3 in the state. According to ESPN's Jeff Borzello, Ramsey is the third top-100 prospect to commit to Texas Tech since the ESPN recruiting database began in 2007. Moore snapped a drought dating back to D'walyn Roberts.

"Watching him play, you can tell he's a serious-minded player," Meyer said about the 247Sports rankings and his impressions. "And he likes to play physical and is competitive. I've liked what I've seen, especially his focus and that he isn't afraid of contact."

Ramsey used all of those traits during his runs with Drive Nation as part of the NIKE EYBL last summer. He affected the game in several ways, netting 15.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 20 games.

With his pledge, the Red Raiders — who continue to recruit — have put together a solid fall signing class which includes College of Southern Idaho sophomore wing/forward Khalid Thomas (6-9, 205 pounds), Putnam Science Academy center Russel Tchewa (7-0, 252 pounds) and San Antonio Wagner guard Kevin McCullar (6-6, 190 pounds) — who reclassified as a 2018 prospect.

Thomas and McCullar are four-star prospects, while Tchewa is rated a three star by Rivals.com.

The early signing period is set for Nov. 14-21.