RECORD-BREAKING GIFT: Jarrett Culver’s $9.5 Million Donation to Texas Tech Athletics Sets New Standard for Red Raider Excellence.

LUBBOCK, TX — In a powerful and emotional full-circle moment, former Texas Tech basketball star and NBA first-round pick Jarrett Culver has pledged a record-setting $9.5 million donation to Texas Tech Athletics — the largest gift ever made by a former student-athlete in school history. The contribution is set to transform the landscape of Red Raider athletics for generations to come.

Announced early Saturday morning at a surprise press conference inside the Dustin R. Womble Basketball Center, Culver’s gift will be distributed across multiple departments, including men’s and women’s basketball, student-athlete wellness, mental health support, and NIL development initiatives. The magnitude of the gesture — both financially and symbolically — instantly made headlines across the college sports world.

“I came to Texas Tech as a hometown kid with dreams,” Culver said, visibly emotional. “This university shaped me. It gave me more than I could’ve ever imagined. Now it’s my turn to give back — to the next generation of Red Raiders.”

Born and raised in Lubbock, Culver’s story is as intertwined with Texas Tech as any in recent memory. The son of a pastor and the product of Coronado High School, Culver became a household name when he led Chris Beard’s 2018–2019 squad to the NCAA National Championship game — the greatest season in program history.

That run, in which Culver averaged 18.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, earned him Big 12 Player of the Year honors and launched him into the NBA lottery. He was drafted 6th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Though his NBA journey has taken him from Minnesota to Memphis and beyond, Culver has never forgotten his roots.

“I’ve always said: once a Red Raider, always a Red Raider,” Culver said. “No matter where basketball takes me, this is home.”

Texas Tech officials released details of the landmark donation, which will be split across several high-impact initiatives:

• $3 million toward upgrades at the Womble Basketball Center, including a new player performance and analytics lab.
• $2.5 million dedicated to expanding student-athlete mental health resources, including access to 24/7 licensed sports psychologists and wellness programs.
• $2 million into a newly launched NIL development program, designed to equip athletes with tools, education, and brand-building skills in the new college sports economy.
• $1 million for scholarships and academic services for non-revenue sports, including women’s tennis, track & field, and golf.
• $1 million held in an endowment to fund future Red Raider coaching and leadership development.

“This isn’t just a donation,” said athletic director Kirby Hocutt. “It’s a game-changing investment in our culture, our student-athletes, and the entire Texas Tech community.”

The magnitude of Culver’s gift sent shockwaves across the NCAA and earned praise from across the sports world. ESPN’s Jay Bilas called it “one of the most meaningful player-to-program moments in college basketball history.” Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark said Culver’s gift “embodies the spirit of NIL and modern athlete empowerment.”

Even Texas Tech head football coach Joey McGuire weighed in.

“Jarrett Culver just raised the bar for what it means to be a Red Raider,” McGuire tweeted. “Legend.”

In recognition of the donation, Texas Tech announced that the main court inside the Womble Center will be renamed “Culver Court,” and a statue of Jarrett Culver — mid-crossover dribble — will be installed outside the arena before the 2026–27 basketball season.

Additionally, a new annual event titled the “Culver Leadership Summit” will be hosted in Lubbock, bringing together athletes, alumni, and innovators from across sports and business to mentor Texas Tech student-athletes.

“He didn’t just give money,” said former teammate Davide Moretti, who joined Culver at the press conference. “He gave us vision. He gave us something to aim for.”

Culver’s gift comes at a critical time for Texas Tech basketball, which is undergoing a quiet but powerful transformation under head coach Grant McCasland. After two transitional seasons, the Red Raiders have reloaded with transfer talent and elite high school recruits — and now, with enhanced NIL infrastructure and state-of-the-art player development tools, they’re aiming to return to the national conversation.

“Jarrett has made it clear: we’re not here to just make the tournament,” McCasland said. “We’re here to win it.”

The university also confirmed that Culver will serve as an official alumni ambassador and advisor for men’s and women’s basketball, appearing at key games, recruiting events, and mentoring sessions throughout the season.

Of the many parts of the donation, the allocation toward NIL development may be the most forward-thinking.

Rather than directly funding athlete payments, Culver’s contribution will focus on education, content creation support, and branding strategy — giving Tech athletes the resources to build sustainable personal brands.

“Money comes and goes,” Culver said. “But knowledge? Strategy? Vision? That’s what lasts. I want every Red Raider to leave here knowing how to succeed — on the court and off it.”

The university plans to launch an NIL mentorship program by 2026, pairing student-athletes with successful alumni in business, media, and entrepreneurship.

For many young athletes in Lubbock — and across Texas — Culver has long been a role model. Now, with this gift, he’s becoming something even greater: a trailblazer for athlete-led philanthropy and legacy building.

“This is what the future of college athletics looks like,” said Big 12 Network analyst Kevin Connors. “Players returning to uplift the next generation. Not because they were asked — but because they remember.”

Culver’s announcement was accompanied by a moving tribute video featuring highlights from his Texas Tech career, interviews with family and former coaches, and footage of young kids in Lubbock practicing on courts he once called home.

For a university that has long prided itself on grit, loyalty, and West Texas pride, Jarrett Culver’s historic $9.5 million donation is more than just a record-breaking financial contribution. It’s a defining moment in the story of Texas Tech Athletics — a moment that proves the culture it preaches can, and does, come full circle.

“He didn’t have to do this,” Coach McCasland said. “That’s what makes it special. Jarrett Culver chose Texas Tech — again. And in doing so, he’s ensured a better future for every Red Raider who walks through these doors.”

Jarrett Culver:
Forever a Red Raider. Now, a Red Raider legend.