Ex-Texas basketball target Fardaws Aimaq likely to enter transfer portal

There is already a name to watch that is likely to surface in the NCAA Transfer Portal next offseason that was once a target of the Texas basketball program.

The former Utah Valley and Mercer redshirt senior big man Fardaws Aimaq reportedly (per On3) intends to enter the transfer portal next offseason after spending one season playing for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Aimaq chose to take his talents to Texas Tech out of the transfer portal last offseason over other top schools he was considering such as Texas along with the Gonzaga Bulldogs and Washington Huskies.

Yet, Aimaq had a turbulent first year in Lubbock at Texas Tech. Out of the gates this season, he experienced some injury issues that limited him to only playing in 11 games (nine of which he started). That’s not to mention the coaching situation brewing at Texas Tech this week.

Recent Texas basketball transfer target Fardaws Aimaq will reportedly enter the portal this offseason

Now-former Texas Tech head coach Mark Adams stepped down (per an official release from Texas Tech athletics) on March 8 after he made a “racially insensitive comment” during an interaction with a player.

Here’s more on what the official release from Texas Tech had to say on the matter of Adams stepping down as the men’s basketball head coach.

"Mark Adams has stepped down as head coach of the Texas Tech men’s basketball program. This follows the University’s suspension of Adams and its inquiry related to his interactions with his players and staff.Following this inquiry, Texas Tech Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt determined that the racially insensitive comment was unintentional and an isolated incident. Following the comment, Adams immediately apologized to the team."

Since Aimaq had originally committed to Adams as Texas Tech’s head coach out of the transfer portal last offseason, it makes sense that he will be finding another collegiate destination for what will likely be his final season.

This will be Aimaq’s second time entering the transfer portal in as many years. He will be seeking his fourth collegiate destination during the 2023 offseason.

The 6-foot-11 and 245-pound big man was the 2020-21 WAC Player of the Year and a two-time WAC Defensive Player of the Year. In his 11 games played at Texas Tech this season, Aimaq averaged 11.1 points per game, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists.