Report: Fardaws Aimaq concern over being rushed back from injury key reason transfer decision

One of the most prized transfers of the last cycle was big man Fardaws Aimaq. The Texas Tech Red Raiders and head coach Mark Adams won out, hoping to reload in Lubbock for another great season. However, an injury prevent Aimaq from playing, and on Wednesday, he announced he would be transferring out.

According to Jeff Goodman of Stadium, Adams is a big reason why Aimaq is leaving. The center feels as if Adams is rushing him “back too quickly” from an injury after saying Aimaq could be back around the New Year.

“One key reason Aimaq is transferring is because he feels he is being rushed back too quickly by Mark Adams from injury, source close to Aimaq told @Stadium,” Goodman said. “Adams said publicly Aimaq would be back playing by Jan. 1. Source said Aimaq had hard cast removed Monday after 12 weeks.”

Aimaq has played in 83 games throughout his career, playing for Mercer and most recently, Utah Valley. He has been an effective scorer, averaging 12.7 points per game. No season was better than the 2021-2022 one for Aimaq, going for over 18 points and nearly 14 rebounds per game.

A foot injury has been keeping Aimaq out of the Texas Tech squad, as Adams said the goal was to get him in the rotation near the start of Big 12 play. People surrounding the center felt as if that timeline was too soon and will now move on.

Fardaws Aimaq to enter NCAA transfer portal

Texas Tech men’s basketball center Fardaws Aimaq plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, per Jeff Goodman of Stadium.

“BREAKING: Texas Tech’s Fardaws Aimaq is expected to transfer, source told @Stadium,” tweeted Goodman. “Aimaq transferred this past year from Utah Valley, where he averaged 18.9 ppg 13.6 rpg per game. Has yet to play this season while recovering from a broken foot. Hard cast was removed Monday.”

As Goodman mentioned, Aimaq hasn’t played yet in 2022, but his next time on the court will no longer be with Texas Tech.

Moreover, Fardaws Aimaq is a former four-star recruit out of the Steveston-London Secondary School as a member of the Class of 2018, per the On3 Consensus.

When he originally hit the transfer portal before choosing Texas Tech, Aimaq also considered finalists Gonzaga, Texas, Washington, and Iowa. He was also contacted by teams like Alabama, Arkansas and Kentucky. He took his talents to Lubbock originally, but it’s evident he’s looking at other opportunities now