After being named one of the top college basketball transfers this year, former UVU star Fardaws Aimaq announced his next destination on Friday — maybe.

He’s headed to Texas Tech if he ends up not being drafted.

“Excited to put my heart and soul on the line for the LBK,” Aimaq tweeted from his @FardawsAimaq Twitter account, with a photo of him in a Red Raider uniform and the “Guns up” caption.

Wolverine head coach Mark Madsen tweeted his congratulations from his @madsen_mark Twitter account, saying: “(C)ongratulations and I cannot thank you enough for your professionalism and work ethic from the first day you set foot on campus at @UVU. Texas Tech is getting a worker. All the best in next chapter and we will be in touch!”

Although he also listed Gonzaga, Iowa, Texas and Washington as possibilities, Aimaq told ESPN’s Jeff Borzello that he felt like Texas Tech provided the best chance to reach his personal goals.

“If I come back, I think they can transform me into a lottery pick,” Aimaq told Borzello. “They can help me with the way they play defense, and they have one of the best strength coaches in the country, who will have my body NBA-ready by November.”

After redshirting in 2019-20 after transferring from Mercer, Aimaq spent two seasons playing for Madsen and UVU. He averaged 16.9 points and 14.5 rebounds per game for his career. He also earned WAC Player of the Year honors in 2020-21 and won WAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2020-21 and 2021-22.

He is still looking at his options as far as jumping to the next level this year, so his transfer isn’t solidified.

“It’s 50-50,” he told Borzello. “I think I have a chance to shock some people. I’m really going to showcase my shooting and show the work I’ve done on my body the last couple months and hopefully can have somebody take a chance.”

Aimaq believes he can be an immediate contributor for the Red Raiders if that’s how things shake out.

“I think I’ll bring something they have not had,” Aimaq told Borzello. “Versatility as a 7-footer, can shoot, dribble and pass and also help them on the defensive side of things. With the pieces they have coming in, I think they can really help me reach my full potential and we will be a top-five team.”

UVU has had players transfer in and out frequently over the last few years, although few have gotten as much attention as Aimaq. Madsen and his staff will need to rely on others to fill the void Aimaq’s departure will leave.

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