Memphis Basketball: Analyzing Tigers 2021 incoming recruiting class

8. Sam Ayomide Onu

Sam Ayomide is the second freshman name to know in the Tigers 2021 recruiting class. He’s a 6-foot-11, 255-pound three-star rated center out of The Phelps School in Pennsylvania. He’s a Nigerian native that averaged a double-double (15 points, 12 rebounds) and swatted three blocks as a junior in high school in 2019-20.

Ayomide is set to boost the paint presence for Memphis basketball with his ability to protect the rim, rebound the ball and finish around the rim with his back to the basket. He’s a prospect that won’t hesitate to use his body to maneuver around the paint for big finishes at the rim. Alongside Jalen Duren, he has the potential to really boost the frontcourt.

7. Tyler Harris

Tyler Harris returns to the Memphis basketball rotation after a brief stint with Iowa State in 2020-21. He averaged 7.5 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 1.0 apg, and 1.0 spg while shooting 31.7 percent from 3-point range for the Cyclones this past season. He made 24 appearances (11 starts) in the lineup while knocking down 1.6 3-pointers per contest.

Back in 2018-19 as a freshman with Memphis, he knocked down a career-best 79 3-pointers while averaging 10.8 ppg. He shot 31.5 percent per game from behind the arc while knocking down 2.2 3-pointers per game to earn All-AAC Freshmen honors for his play.

With a slew of guards and wings in the backcourt for the Tigers to work with, it’s hard to forecast a ton of minutes for Harris, especially at the point guard slot. Nonetheless, he’ll contribute solidly as a practice player and could give them minutes as a reserve sharpshooter if given an opportunity.