Memphis Basketball: Analyzing Tigers 2021 incoming recruiting class

2. Jalen Duren

Jalen Duren was a late addition to the Memphis basketball 2021 class, causing a ripple effect as he joins back up with Emoni Bates. The duo teamed up together this past grassroots season with Team Final EYBL as they won the 2021 Nike Peach Jam title. Let’s just say it was a preview of things to come with them on the floor.

Duren is a 6-foot-10, 230-pound center that was the No. 5 ranked overall prospect in the 2021 class after spending the 2020-21 season at Montverde Academy. He averaged 14.5  ppg and 9.3 rpg while shooting 62.9 percent from the field en route to the 2021 Geico High School National crown.

He’s one of the more dynamic big man prospects in the 2021 class given his ability to attack and finish around the rim and swat shots around the rim defensively. He’s got a chance to be quite a dangerous prospect alongside Emoni Bates, especially in the pick and roll.

1. Emoni Bates

Emoni Bates is one of the most decorated prospects to join the Memphis basketball ranks since Derrick Rose. He’s a 6-foot-9 phenom that possesses some star power given what he can do on the floor. In his final season of high school in 2020-21, he averaged 24.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg, and 2.4 apg for his Ysipi Prep (MI) squad.

It’s highly rumored that Bates is set the play the point guard position for Memphis basketball in 2021-22. He’s proven he can handle the ball and create off the bounce so it will be interesting to see if he can handle the pressure of leading a team as a floor general, or in this case, a point forward.

Bates and Duren should get a lot of attention, especially with NBA teams salivating to see how they do in 2021-22. Look for this duo to do damage in the AAC and beyond.