Texas Tech basketball is getting another major piece back for the 2026-27 season, as Donovan Atwell is set to return to Lubbock for another year with the Red Raiders.
Atwell’s return comes amid the ongoing changes surrounding NCAA eligibility, which have opened the door for members of the 2022 recruiting class to pursue a fifth season of college basketball. Atwell had previously exhausted his eligibility and went undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft before joining the Chicago Bulls for NBA Summer League.
Now, he’ll return to a Texas Tech roster that suddenly looks loaded.
Atwell was one of the best shooters in college basketball last season, knocking down 130 three-pointers while shooting 45.8% from beyond the arc. He averaged 13.5 points per game for the Red Raiders and continued to show off his shooting ability during NBA Summer League, where he connected on 45.8% of his threes over five games.
His return also comes shortly after Texas Tech brought Darrion Williams back to Lubbock following one season at NC State. Williams previously spent two seasons with the Red Raiders before transferring and averaged 14.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists last season.
Those additions give head coach Grant McCasland another experienced roster capable of competing at the top of the Big 12.
Texas Tech has also added Hofstra transfer Cruz Davis, UNLV transfer Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn and UCF transfer Jamichael Stillwell this offseason.
With Atwell and Williams back in the fold, the expectations in Lubbock will undoubtedly rise. The Red Raiders now have a combination of proven Big 12 experience, elite perimeter shooting and high-end transfer talent that should put them firmly in the conversation as one of the Big 12’s top teams entering the 2026-27 season.
