
Memphis and Penny Hardaway landed yet another blue-chip talent on Friday night as Jalen Duren, a five-star center from Montverde Academy ranked in the 247Sports Composite as the No. 1 prospect in the 2022 class, picked the Tigers in a commitment ceremony while simultaneously announcing he is reclassifying into the 2021 class. Duren chose Memphis over a final list of suitors that included Kentucky, Miami and the professional route with the G League.
Duren’s commitment marks the second time in the last four recruiting cycles that Memphis has secured a commitment from a top-two overall recruit in the country under Hardaway. The Tigers also reeled in Memphis native James Wiseman, the No. 1 recruit in the 2019 class, who played in only three games with the Tigers because of eligibility issues. Wiseman was the foundation of Memphis’ top-rated recruiting class in 2019.
It’s possible Duren