Memphis Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for the Tigers
Key Reserves
Tyler Harris | G | 5-foot-9 | 150 lbs | Sophomore
One of the few key returners for this team, Tyler Harris is fresh off a solid campaign last season. He averaged 10.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 25.5 minutes per game as a freshman and should find a consistent role in the rotation this year. Although his 3-point percentage last season was not particularly impressive at just 31.5%, he attempted seven trifectas a game. With more talented teammates this year, Harris could see more open looks while emerging as a very dangerous threat from distance. He does not bring a ton of size at 5-foot-9 but Harris should compete for a starting spot in the backcourt this season. Harris could be a leader in his second year on campus.
Alex Lomax | G | 6-foot-0 | 190 lbs | Sophomore
Another returning sophomore guard, Alex Lomax is more of a creator. He averaged 5.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game as a do-it-all reserve. The expectation should be that he reprises his role as a back-up point guard during his sophomore season. He is a pure floor general and should be the leader of the second unit for the Tigers. Coach Hardaway coached Lomax in high school as well as college so there should be a high level of trust between the two. Lomax might never be a star at the collegiate level but should provide a great deal of poise in the backcourt as a strong creator for Quinones, Harris, and others.
Lester Quinones | G | 6-foot-5 | 220 lbs | Freshman
Arguably the best perimeter threat on this roster, Lester Quinones is a killer from 3-point range. He stands at 6-foot-5 with a quick release and is nearly impossible to cover from beyond the arc. Although not an elite-level athlete, Quinones brings a college-ready body and this should allow him to be very successful as a positional rebounder and defender. Quinones could easily emerge as a starter this season due to his perimeter shooting but will be a spark-plug scoring reserve at the very least. He was ranked as the No. 58 overall player in this class.
Isaiah Maurice | F | 6-foot-10 | 224 lbs | Senior
Isaiah Maurice might be the only upperclassmen poised to see playing time this season. The 6-foot-10 senior averaged 5.6 points and 3.1 rebounds in just 13.4 minutes per game last year and should reprise a similar role. Maurice will be trapped behind Memphis’ superb freshmen frontcourt talents in the rotation but he should still see his fair share of time. He is a mobile big man and boasts the ability to occasionally stretch the defense out to 3-point range. Maurice should be one of the primary reserves behind top-rated recruit James Wiseman at center.
Malcolm Dandridge | F | 6-foot-9 | 250 lbs | Freshman
Malcolm Dandridge was ranked as the No. 106 overall prospect in this freshman class but might have a difficult time seeing significant playing time. Memphis features so many talented youngsters in the frontcourt and the competition for minutes will be fierce. Dandridge is physically well-built and ready to play at the college level. He is quite mobile on the court and is a big body inside. Dandridge was an impact player on both ends of the floor at the high school level. He did not play on Memphis’ trip to the Bahamas due to knee surgery and therefore it is difficult to predict his future role with the team.
Lance Thomas | F | 6-foot-9 | 224 lbs | Sophomore
A 6-foot-9 transfer from Louisville, Lance Thomas will see his first action with the Tigers this season. He will, though, have a tough time finding consistent minutes considering the number of freshmen talents on this roster. Thompson plays with great energy and runs the floor quite well. He fits the mold of a modern power forward with his athleticism and the ability to knock down the occasional jumper. Thompson only played 12 games as a freshman with the Cardinals in 2017-18 without making a big impact.