Mading picks the Red Raiders after weekend visit

Once he saw what Lubbock and Texas Tech could offer on a major contest weekend, Gainseville (Florida) Rock School power forward Daniel Mading was sold on the Red Raiders, committing to Coach Beard's program on Tuesday afternoon after visiting West Texas on an official over the weekend.

Texas Tech came up short against the third ranked Jayhawks 80-79 in the Saturday afternoon contest, but United Supermakets Arena was absolutely rocking for the second half of the contest, a basketball environment the Florida native hadn't ever experienced before.

“As a kid, that is the situation you dream of playing in front of. It was such a big-time game, in front of a lot of people, against a big-time opponent. The atmosphere and environment for that game was definitely something that amazed me. It was unlike anything I’d seen.”

“To be honest, coming into the visit, I didn’t expect it to be how it would be when I got there. It really blew me away. Everything just speaks for itself. What I took away from it was that it was gorgeous, you just have to see it to believe it. Everything amazed me the minute I got there. I was excited I got to see it all for myself.”

Mading, who measured in at 6'10" and 190 pounds on his trip, is a true power forward and inside threat that the Red Raiders will need moving forward. The Australia native noted that he wanted to go somewhere he felt at home, could trust the coaches, and make a big impact from day one.

He obviously felt Texas Tech checked all the boxes.

Mading is a three star prospect that chose Texas Tech over offers from Pitt, Providence, Missouri, LSU, Nebraska, TCU, USC, St. Johns, South Carolina, Seton Hall, and Kansas State.

He's the fifth commit for the Red Raiders in the 2017 class.