Houston Basketball: Quentin Grimes eligibility shakes up 2019-20 AAC race
The NCAA granted immediate eligibility to Houston Basketball star Quentin Grimes, a big boost for a program with sights on an AAC title.
The NCAA’s propensity for random and inconsistent decision-making struck again this week, this time benefitting Houston Basketball and their newest player, Quentin Grimes.
Houston announced the immediate eligibility of Grimes last week, celebrating as the guard can now play for the team starting with their season opener against Alabama State on November 12. The late notice is a boost for a program likely not expecting such great news so late in the offseason.
Houston announces that guard Quentin Grimes has received a waiver to play immediately this season. Transferred from Kansas after last season. Former five-star recruit.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) October 22, 2019
This makes Houston a clear-cut preseason top 25 team and legitimate AAC title contender.
The rationale for the Kansas transfer earning immediate eligibility is interesting, to say the least. There was no scholarship for him to return to Lawrence after he decided to withdraw from the NBA Draft. Of course, Grimes’ declaration for the NBA Draft suggested that he had little interest in returning to Kansas after his freshman year anyways, or at least was initially in favor of getting all of the information he deserved while feeling out the professional process.
Quentin Grimes won immediately eligibility on the fact that there wasn’t a scholarship open for him at Kansas when he decided to withdraw from the NBA Draft, source told @Stadium. Told that KU supported him being eligible right away.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) October 22, 2019
Regardless, the sophomore will not have to wait to suit up for the Cougars. That should make an AAC race once handed to the Memphis Tigers significantly more competitive.
Penny Hardaway’s team is a legitimate threat. He has revived the Memphis brand, bringing in a loaded recruiting class led by top overall prospect James Wiseman Jr. The buzz around the program is palpable across the country, reminiscent of the days of John Calipari. They are second in the AAC power rankings, sandwiched between Houston at the top and the Cincinnati Bearcats in third.
Even with the Cougars atop the preseason rankings, the arrival of Grimes cannot be undersold. He demonstrated star potential during his freshman year with the Jayhawks, averaging 8.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game in 36 starts. He also shot 34 percent from 3-point range.
Grimes arguably walks into Houston as their best player. He’ll be able to slide into the lineup with fellow sophomore Nate Hinton, himself a potential rising star in the AAC. Hinton is the team’s leading returning scorer, with the All-AAC Freshman Team honoree averaging 7.2 points per game a year ago. Dejon Jarreau is another name to watch in Houston’s backcourt. Last year’s AAC Sixth Man of the Year looks poised to take another step forward in 2019-20.
Of course, there are only so minutes to be had in the backcourt and only one ball to possess, so coach Kelvin Sampson is going to need to do some ego management. Additionally, Memphis isn’t the only major threat in the race for the conference title. Cincinnati may have a new coach after the departure of Mick Cronin, but they still have All-American candidate Jarron Cumberland leading the attack.
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Nevertheless, the arrival of Quentin Grimes signifies the arrival of the Houston Cougars as a major AAC contender for the 2019-20 season and perhaps beyond if he doesn’t defect for the NBA Draft early. Houston should be in a position to win their second straight regular-season AAC title and their first AAC Tournament.