By ADAM ZAGORIA
Texas Tech has landed transferring St. John’s forward Tariq Owens, his father, Renard, told ZAGSBLOG.
Owens, who also considered Maryland, is eligible immediately.
Owens chose Texas Tech because of his “relationship with the assistant coach Al Pinkins,” Renard said. “He feels Texas Tech gives him his best chance to win and contribute to that.”
St. John’s ended the season with a 16-17 (4-14 Big East) record and finished ninth in the Big East.
“Nothing made me want to leave St. John’s per se,” Owens told the New York Post. “It’s my last year. It hasn’t gone how we expected it to go, for everybody not just me. We expected ourselves to be somewhere else we didn’t get to. That alone would make anybody weigh their options.”
In his junior season, Owens averaged 8.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.8 blocks and 30.3 minutes per game.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to represent St. John’s during my three years with the program,” said Owens. “I’ve had a great experience here, but at this time my family and I feel this decision is best for me.”
“We wish Tariq well in his future,” said head coach Chris Mullin.
Sedee Keita, a forward from South Carolina, and Mikey Dixon, a guard from Quinnipiac, will join the Red Storm next season after seating out this season due to NCAA transfer regulations. Both have three years of eligibility remaining. Photo: NY Post