Busting Brackets
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AAC Basketball: 5 biggest takeaways from 2019 recruiting classes

By Tristan Freeman

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 11: during the final game of the 2018 AAC Basketball Championship against at Amway Center on March 11, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 11: during the final game of the 2018 AAC Basketball Championship against at Amway Center on March 11, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 01: Head coach Penny Hardaway of the Memphis Tigers reacts against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the HoopHall Miami Invitational at American Airlines Arena on December 1, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 01: Head coach Penny Hardaway of the Memphis Tigers reacts against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the HoopHall Miami Invitational at American Airlines Arena on December 1, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

1. Memphis and Penny Hardaway the star of the offseason

When Penny Hardaway was hired as the head coach of Memphis Basketball, we knew that he would have some success on the recruiting trail thanks to his AAU ties. With a ton of scholarships available in the 2019 class, all eyes were going to be on how good he would do.

It started out as good as possible, landing the No. 1 overall recruit in James Wiseman. His commitment set off a wave of prospects joining the Tigers, including four-star players Malcolm Dandridge and Damion Baugh, while landing forward DJ Jeffries after stepping away from Kentucky. That was good for a top-15 really good class… until the offseason came.

light. Related Story. Why Memphis will win the AAC in 2019-20

Top-60 guard Lester Quinones choose Memphis before former Duke commit Boogie Ellis picked the Tigers as well. 20 ppg grad transfer Rayjon Tucker also was heading to the team as well before opting to go pro. But the cherry on the top for the program was five-star forward Precious Achiuwa making the decision to join them as well in May. His commitment vaulted the Tigers to the No. 1 overall spot, making it the first time since 2007 that neither Duke or Kentucky landed the top spot.

This class has risen Memphis to a preseason top-25 ranking and hopes of a deep postseason run. It also brought the team to the top of the AAC, a league who lacks a consistent powerhouse year in and year out. The Tigers, especially if they continue to do well on the recruiting trail could eventually become that team. But it’ll depend on how well Coach Hardaway does on the court with the team. Memphis will be one of the most fascinating teams to watch for the upcoming season. And their success/failures will have a major impact on both the AAC and nationally going forward.