Shifting Landscape: High School Stars Bates and Duren Commit to the Memphis Tigers

Former NBA superstar and current Memphis Tigers Head Basketball Coach Penny Hardaway has had an interesting time since taking over his alma mater in 2018. He has seen some recruiting success landing the commitment of multiple four star players and current NBA players Precious Achiuwa (Toronto) and James Wiseman (Golden State).

Wiseman, a former top 3 overall recruit committed to the University of Memphis due to his close relationship with his former high school coach Penny. Things seemed to be off to a bang on the Tigers’ campus before the unthinkable happened. Wiseman played three games before he was ruled ineligible. And Penny’s Tiger teams did not perform as expected in back to back seasons even though they had highly regarded players on the roster.

Coach Hardaway has not qualified for March Madness since taking over, and the reality is — most coaches would be in the hot seat by now. But Penny is a Memphis legend and his connections as a former NBA player turned high school (now college coach) paired with his celebrity and shoe deal are too valuable for the University of Memphis.

Heading into the 2021–22 season Penny’s team looked primed for a decent year with multiple players returning and more four star talent joining the roster. Then Philadelphia native Jalen Duren reclassified from the 2022 class to become immediately eligible giving coach the University of Memphis the commitment of not only a five star player but a top 5 player in the country.

A 6’10” 230 pound center with Duren’s physical tools and basketball acumen immediately upgrades the Tigers season outlook. He is expected to have a phenomenal freshman season before entering the 2022 NBA Draft. A prayer answered for Penny and his star studded staff consisting of Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown and former NBA star Rasheed Wallace. The foundation was laid for a great season but there was one more piece that could have Memphis looking Final Four bound.

Michigan native Emoni Bates has been considered by some recruiting experts the best prospect since LeBron James. He even graced the cover of Sports Illustrated as a fourteen year old. Standing at 6’9’ Bates is a wiry forward that can score in bunches, he will have to get stronger and work on his defensive intensity but that should come with better coaching and time. He has the type of star power and ability that pair with Jalen Duren to give them two potential top 5 draft picks in consecutive seasons (2022 and 2023) and a potent 1–2 punch that could lead them to a Final Four.

This is a make or break year for Penny and the University of Memphis. He has assembled a highly regarded staff and has the type of talent that could make a deep tournament run if everyone buys in. Recruiting has come easy but showing his ability to really coach is what has lacked so far. In college basketball the most talented team doesn’t always win the championship.

Defensive schemes and brilliant offensive performances lead to upsets every year. It falls on Hardaway, his staff and an incredibly talented season to maximize the team’s potential with the field more loaded than years past with the one time transfer rule in effect.

Score on for the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) rule for single handedly altering this program. Duren and Bates both had heft offers from the G-League Ignite on the table and they chose college over guaranteed contracts totaling over seven figures. The ability for student athletes to profit of their name and likeness has completely altered the landscape of college athletics. With players that would typically go pro as soon as they had the chance rethinking things knowing they can get a bag and still enjoy the college experience.

One thing is for sure no matter how much of a success or failure the Memphis Tigers season ends up they will be must see tv. And BALDWIN BALLER will be covering the Bates-Duren connection all season long.