Texas Tech officially loses Christian Anderson to NBA Draft

With the 2026 NBA Draft quickly approaching, players around the nation are declaring their status for the upcoming event. On Tuesday, Texas Tech Red Raiders star Christian Anderson made his final decision, and it sounds like the program will have to find a new point guard for next season.

Reports indicate that Anderson, who ended last season as a third-team All-American, will officially enter the NBA Draft, according to Jeff Borzello of ESPN. After participating in the NBA Combine and pre-draft workouts with teams around the league, the sophomore guard is projected to be selected anywhere between picks 15 and 20.

“NEWS: Texas Tech’s Christian Anderson, a third-team All-American last season, is keeping his name in the NBA draft, his agent Aaron Mintz of CAA Basketball told ESPN,” reported Borzello. “Recent feedback from the Combine & pre-draft workouts reaffirmed Anderson’s status as a projected top 15-20 pick.”

Anderson also issued a statement regarding his decision, per Borzello. The former Texas Tech star is ultimately excited to begin his career in the NBA. He also revealed how grateful he is for the opportunity to play professional basketball and begin his career.

“This is a dream I’ve worked toward my entire life, and the fact that it’s now a real opportunity is something I don’t take for granted,” Anderson told ESPN. “I’m incredibly grateful… And I’m ready to make the most of it.”

Christian Anderson is projected to go No. 19 overall in the NBA Draft to the Toronto Raptors in ClutchPoints’ full mock draft by insider Brett Siegel. Considering Toronto needs help in the backcourt, and Immanuel Quickley could be on his way out, Siegel likes the idea of Anderson playing alongside Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram as an immediate impact player and long-term option.

After playing as the backup point guard in his freshman year at Texas Tech, Christian Anderson stepped up as one of the Red Raiders’ go-to players in the following campaign. He led the Big 12 in minutes played per game with 38.4, averaging 18.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 7.4 assists (led Big 12), and 1.5 steals per contest while shooting 47.2% from the field and 41.5% from beyond the three-point line.

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