Jarrett Culver

On November 10, 2017, Culver debuted for Texas Tech in a 75–50 win over South Alabama, scoring 2 points in 16 minutes.[10] He recorded a season-high in non-conference play against Wofford on November 22, scoring 21 points.[11] In his next game, Culver recorded 18 points and a season-best 7 assists in a 103–69 win over Savannah State.[12] Two days later, he was named Big 12 Conference Newcomer of the Week.[13] On December 16, Culver chipped in 8 points and a season-high 6 steals against Rice.[14] He recorded his first double-double on February 26, 2018 versus West Virginia, with season-bests of 26 points and 12 rebounds.[15] As a freshman, Culver averaged 11.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game.[16] He scored 229 points in conference play, breaking the Texas Tech freshman record set by Martin Zeno in 2005.[5]

Entering his sophomore season, Culver was named preseason All-Big 12 honorable mention.[17] He was also one of 20 players to make the 2019 Jerry West Award watch list.[18] Culver assumed a leading role in his second year, with the departures of key players Zhaire Smith and Keenan Evans. He made his debut on November 6, 2018, recording 16 points and 4 assists in an 87–37 win over Incarnate Word.[19] On November 20, Culver scored 26 points against Nebraska to win most valuable player (MVP) honors at the Hall of Fame Classic.[20] The next day, he became one of 20 players to be named to the Oscar Robertson Trophy midseason watch list.[21] Culver erupted for 30 points, shooting 12-of-13 from the field, in a December 15 victory over Abilene Christian.[22] Shortly after, he earned Big 12 Player of the Week honors.[23] On March 9, 2019, Culver scored 31 points against Iowa State, which was not only a season-high, but also a career-high.

After leading the Red Raiders to a share of the Big 12 regular season title, he was named Big 12 Player of the Year at the end of conference play.[24] In the quarterfinals of the 2019 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament, despite him scoring 26 points and hauling in 10 rebounds, Culver and the Red Raiders were upset by #10 seed West Virginia. In the first round of the 2019 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, Culver nearly recorded a triple-double with 29 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists against #14 seed Northern Kentucky. In the second round, Culver helped lead to another win against #6 seed Buffalo, recording a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds. He also recorded 5 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks against #6 seed Buffalo. In the Regional Semifinals (the Sweet 16), he helped lead the Red Raiders to a historic upset over the #2 seed Michigan Wolverines, scoring 22 points. In the Regional Finals (the Elite Eight), he again led Texas Tech with 19 points and another upset against #1 seed Gonzaga, resulting in the program's first-ever appearance in the National Semifinals (the Final Four). Culver struggled in the Final Four game against Michigan State, scoring 10 points on 3/12 shooting, in a 61-51 Texas Tech win. In the championship game, Culver again struggled, scoring 15 points on 5/22 shooting in an 85-77 overtime loss to Virginia. After the season, Culver declared for the 2019 NBA draft.

Culver was selected as the sixth pick of the 2019 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns. However, his draft rights were immediately traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Dario Šarić and the eleventh pick of the draft. The trade was officially completed on July 6.[25] Two days later on July 8, 2019, the Minnesota Timberwolves announced that they had signed with Culver.[26] On October 23, 2019, Culver made his debut in NBA, coming off from bench in a 127–126 overtime win over the Brooklyn Nets with four points, two assists, and one steal.[27]