Texas Tech adds power forward for 2005 class

The Texas Tech basketball program picked up the fifth Red Raider commitment for the 2005 class when Denver (Colo.) East power forward Dazzmond Thornton committed to Bobby Knight.

“Dazzmond told Coach (Bobby) Knight last night that he was committing to Texas Tech,” Denver East assistant coach Mark Perlmutter said. “I know he’s happy about it. He was getting recruiting by a lot of schools late. He had some impressive mid-major offers and Colorado and Wyoming were showing interest.”

Perlmutter indicated that Thornton, 6-foot-7, 245-pounds, is a high energy player on the court.

“He is a post player who can step out and keep the defense honest with a mid-range jumper that he shoots well,” Perlmutter said. “Dazzmond has great hands and is a big, strong kid who can score around the basket.”

“He gets after it on the court. He’s somewhat quiet but he does exactly what the coach tells him and learns quick.”

Rivals.com national scout Jerry Meyer saw Thornton, who played AAU basketball with Colorado Pump-N-Run, at the Olympic Festival held in Colorado Springs, Colo.

“He was one of the surprise players there. It was my first time seeing him and he was effective against bigger post players,” Meyer said. “He is a good, solid low-post player who has a nice up-and-under move and good footwork. He’s not a terrific athlete but he’s a wide-body who does a good job on the boards and knows how to score. His ability to step out and made his jumper gives him some versatility.”