It was approximately 11:45 a.m. when the news alert flashed across my iPhone screen, “Precious Achiuwa to Memphis,” it read something along those lines. As a former Alumni member, I could barely contain my composure in the moment.
How did Coach Penny Hardaway manage to secure this 5-star highly polarized recruit? An even bigger question to ponder, how has Coach Hardaway landed the top recruiting class in college basketball?
The answers may be convoluted in a mixed cocktail of reasons, but one fact remains, Memphis Tigers Basketball is back. This blue-blood powerhouse once dominated college hoops with stars such as Derrick Rose dropping buckets and Coach John Calipari pacing back and forth alongside the bench.
Yet, a wave of new coaches, dysfunctional leadership, abysmal recruiting, and lack of interest in the program lead to many dark days at FedEx center. Many fans began to lose hope. That is until the prodigal son returned.
Hardaway has a complete over haul of talent that will surely set college basketball on fire this coming college hoops season. James Wiseman, the number one high school basketball player in the nation headlines the list that includes: Boogie Ellis, DJ Jeffries, Lester Quinones, Malcolm Dandridge, Damion Baugh, Rayjon Tucker, and Achiuwa.
Truthfully speaking, it may not be over. Memphis is still in the running for 5-star recruits RJ Hampton and Trendon Watford. Though highly unlikely that Memphis will land either player, as a former graduate I am thoroughly pleased with the new additions and the leadership of the new coaching staff in Memphis.
