TCU men’s basketball honors former All-Big 12 player at halftime of game vs. Texas Tech
When Jamie Dixon became TCU’s men’s basketball coach in 2016, Desmond Bane was one of his first recruits.
On Tuesday night, at halftime of the Horned Frogs’ 69-66 upset win against visiting No. 9 Texas Tech, Bane’s No. 1 uniform was retired.
Before the game, Bane spoke about the impact that Dixon has had on his career.
“He had a huge impact on me, and still does on calls, texts, constant communication,” said Bane, “He’s one of the best coaches in college basketball history. When I found out I was getting a chance to play for somebody like him in a league like this it was a no-brainer for me.”
At his halftime ceremony, Bane was celebrated with a congratulations video that featured former TCU teammates and current NBA teammates such as Kenrich Williams, Edric Dennis Jr, Jarren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant.
Williams was one of several TCU players and Memphis Grizzlies officials who came to celebrate Bane, which also included head coach Taylor Jenkins and the franchise’s general manager Zach Kleiman.
Speaking to the crowd, Bane thanked his coaches, teammates and family for the support he received during his TCU tenure.
“I came to TCU as a kid that didn’t know much, left here as a man thanks to my coaches, a lot of my teammates, my family members, my friends, I got stories on, stories both on the court and off the court. Lots of them probably not appropriate for tonight, but I had a great four years here, blessed to be able to graduate and call this place home. So I’m very, very thankful for you guys love and support while I was here, and the support that y’all continue to give,” said Bane.
Bane said this was an honor he could not have accomplished without help.
“Coming from a small city, Richmond, Indiana, coming all the way down here, never imagined something like this. So it’s a dream come true. A lot of people had their hand in this success. So I don’t feel right just, you know, feeling like I did this by myself, I know I didn’t, and I’m extremely blessed and thankful that TCU feels this way about me and I feel this way about them,” said Bane.
Bane came to TCU unheralded and unranked on major recruiting websites like 247 Sports after playing at the Class A level, the lowest classification level for high school sports in Indiana, at Seton Catholic.
Upon his arrival, the Richmond native said he couldn’t have imagined how his career would play out.
“Nah, I mean,I just stayed in that gym and listened to coach Dixon. You know, he was all about the discipline, the hard work and commitment. Followed his path and his guidance, [coach] Ryan Miller, of course, and who knows where it will take you,” said Bane.
Bane played four seasons at TCU from 2016-2020 earning back-to-back All-Big 12 selections in his final two seasons and ended his Horned Frogs career at No. 3 on the school’s all-time leaderboard for points (1,784) and first in games played with 141.
Bane stands out for staying at TCU for four years before being drafted, a rarity in today’s NBA, and explained why he wasn’t quick to leave Fort Worth.
“It was really hard for me at first, being so far away from home, and whether it was the players, coaches, the people on campus, teachers, it just felt like a sense of community and a sense of home and somewhere that I didn’t want to leave,” said Bane.
Bane helped kick off the most successful period of TCU basketball program history including a 2018 NCAA tournament appearance, the school’s first since the 1998 season.
The shooting guard was drafted No. 30 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics but was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies shortly thereafter. Bane became the first TCU player to be drafted in 21 years.
Bane would join former teammate Williams in the NBA, and the pair would made history with R.J. Nembhard, marking the first time in school history that the Horned Frogs had three active players in the NBA.
Bane said he didn’t think about the NBA till his junior season and that seeing Williams make the NBA played a part in believing that he could do the same.
Reflecting on his career, Bane said he would never forget the team’s win in the 2017 NIT Championship game for what it meant to his teammates.
“The NIT championship, seeing and hearing the stories about what Brandon Parrish and some of those guys went through the year before previous years, playing in high schools, locker rooms, inside of trailers, you know, and to play in this gym, this arena, this locker room, and cap off their career with a win,” said Bane, “I remember waking up and we in New York City and they got our pictures on billboards and videos on billboards. ... It was cool, for sure. It was a perfect way to start off my journey at TCU,” said Bane.
Bane’s success has continued in the NBA with the shooting guard earning a five-year $197.23 million contract from the Grizzlies in 2023.
This season Bane, who leads the team in assists, is averaging 18.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game for the Grizzlies, who currently hold the second-best record in the Western Conference.
This story was originally published February 18, 2025 at 8:59 PM.
