Texas Tech Star Was Playing the Absolute Perfect Worship Song When He Found Out He Was Player of the Year

Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images
Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images
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Texas Tech star Jarrett Culver has led his team to new heights of success this season — culminating in a Big 12 conference title — their first since 1996. Now, the Red Raiders have even more to prove as they advance to the Final Four of the NCAA.

Sophomore guard Culver, the highest point-scorer on his team, has been widely recognized for his successes, being honored with the Big 12 Player of the Year. Speaking to ESPN, Culver said he was on his way to church, blaring worship songs, when the news came through.

“I was so excited,” he told sports reporter Holly Rowe. “I was screaming gospel music. I got to church, told my parents. They were excited during church. It was pretty fun.”

“What was the Gospel song that was on?” Rowe asked.

“God’s Got a Blessing With Your Name On It,” Culver replied.

Culver, whose dad is a pastor at Rising Star Baptist Church in Lubbock — just down the road from Texas Tech — has continued to rise through the ranks, showing himself to be one of the brightest prospects in college basketball.

“Culver is one of the most versatile players in the country,” wrote Jonathan Tjarks at The Ringer, adding that he is a “smart player with a high basketball IQ who knows how to play to his strengths.”

Through all the hype, however, Culver says his faith always remains paramount.

“It plays a big role,” Culver told The Athletic in January. “Before games, I’m praying and reading my Bible. It’s a routine now. I feel like God is with me on the court, and He protects me. It’s big for me.”

Prior to his senior year in high school, Culver was diagnosed with a potentially career-threatening injury to his shoulder. He could have chosen to go for surgery, but instead, he chose to play on and leave everything out on the court for his team.

“He was told by the doctor, ‘You can have surgery now, and you might be able to come back and play in January, or you can wait until after season,’ ” explained his high school coach, Randy Dean, according to CBS Sports.

“Jarrett made the decision he was going to play his senior year,” Dean said. “And why he made decision was his friendships with his teammates. He’d played with them since junior high. He had to be true to his friendships. There was certainly some risk to it – his injury could have gotten worse. But that speaks to the character of Jarrett.”

“He has always had that ‘it.’ It’s a God-given talent,” Jarrett’s father,
Hiawatha Culver, said of his gifted son. “I can’t even explain it.”