Christian Anderson and Donovan Atwell Find New Homes
Story by Cade Welty
Connoisseur Media Intern
Two players from the Texas Tech Red Raiders achieved their NBA goals as the 2026 NBA draft
officially came to an end. Donovan Atwell and Christian Anderson Jr. would be the only Tech
players to remain in the draft after the pre-draft combine.
Anderson averaged 14.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game during his two seasons at
Tech. These averages, along with his 2026 AP All-American Third Team and Big 12 Most
Improved Player honors, put him in first-round projections. Anderson was paired with his FIBA
teammate Hannes Steinbach when the Charlotte Hornets selected him with the 18th overall
choice.
Anderson joins Jarrett Culver (2019), Zhaire Smith (2018), and Tony Battle (1997) as the four
Red Raiders selected in the first round of the NBA draft. Texas Tech has produced 26 total draft
picks in program history
Donovan Atwell was not selected among the 60 players in the two-round draft. During his senior
year, Atwell averaged 13 points per game and set the Tech record for the most three-pointers
made in a season (130).
Atwell will join the Chicago Bulls after signing an Exhibit-10 deal. According to Yahoo Sports
the basis of an Exhibit-10 contract is a one-year minimum salary agreement. Some contracts
feature a $75,000 option bonus if the player is waived after 60 days with the team’s G league
affiliate.
Texas Tech broke a streak of 6 years without having a player drafted from Tech after Jahmi’us
Ramsey was picked number 42 overall to the Sacramento Kings in the 2020 NBA draft. Tech
looks to not start a new streak with the 2027 NBA draft.