Welcome to this week’s Tigers Basketball Insider. Below you’ll find the latest news and analysis from The Daily Memphian’s Parth Upadhyaya, John Martin and Geoff Calkins.

When Ryan Forrest committed to Memphis this week, many Tigers fans may not have recognized the name.

This wasn’t a pledge from a highly touted five-star prospect — or even a four-star, for that matter. Forrest — a 6-foot-3, three-star shooting guard from Missouri’s Link Academy — had largely flown under the radar until earlier this year.

That was the case until he caught the eye of Link Academy head coach Bill Armstrong, who saw Forrest play for AAU club ProSkills on the Nike EYBL circuit this summer.

Armstrong was immediately impressed with the West Memphis native’s athleticism and tenacity. Now, about two months after convincing Forrest to transfer to Link Academy from Arkansas’ Marion High School for his senior season, Armstrong has seen the star guard further cultivate his skill set to match his raw physical ability.

“He (was) more of an open-floor, transition slasher,” Armstrong told The Daily Memphian. “And now he’s really worked on his shot over the last six weeks and gotten to where he’s becoming more of a consistent shooter.”

After becoming the first commit in head coach Penny Hardaway’s 2023 class, it’s safe to say Forrest is no longer a secret.

Forrest chose Memphis over Arizona State, Virginia Commonwealth, Missouri State and Illinois-Chicago, among others.

The cousin of Tigers assistant coach Shawn Forrest, he’s the No. 37 shooting guard in the country and the No. 8 player in Missouri according to 247Sports.

Even after committing to the program he grew up watching while living just a few miles west of the Hernando DeSoto Bridge, Forrest isn’t content with his development.

“Everybody, they know I can get downhill,” Forrest said. “I’m an attack-first player.

“But as I’m here with Link, I’m getting better with my shooting, catching and shooting, shooting off the dribble. (Shooting) was a flaw in my game that I’m working on.”

With ProSkills this summer, Forrest averaged 13.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.

While Armstrong said Forrest was always a “capable” shooter, he added that the work Forrest has put in to improve the balance and base on his jump shot has made him a threat even when he isn’t driving to the basket.

“I think he’s going to have the capability of being a good shooter,” Armstrong said. “He’s turning himself into that, for sure. And I don’t think he will think that’s a flaw — nor will anyone else — by the time he gets to college.”

Though it took some time, Armstrong wasn’t surprised when he saw schools begin to take notice of Forrest and extend offers this summer.

Arizona State was first. Then, it was VCU. Later, Illinois-Chicago, North Carolina A&T, Missouri State and Purdue Fort Wayne got in the mix.

But when Memphis finally offered in late August following an unofficial visit, Armstrong had a hunch about what Forrest’s decision would be.

“I was glad that he was able to weigh his options,” Armstrong said, “But in the end, I think everybody would’ve probably (guessed) that Memphis would be the school that he would go to.

“Most kids that grow up in that area want to go play basketball at Memphis.”

More from your Insider:

Memphis lands commitment from 2023 3-star shooting guard Ryan Forrest

Ryan Forrest — a 6-foot-2 three-star shooting guard — committed to the Tigers via Instagram Live on Monday evening. Forrest plays at Missouri’s Link Academy and is the No. 37 shooting guard in the country per 247Sports.

Former Tiger CDR has something new poppin’

Chris Douglas-Roberts — the former All-American at the University of Memphis who now goes by Supreme Bey — is launching a sparkling wine brand. 

This season’s Tigers are older, and Penny Hardaway’s fine with that

In what appears to be an intentional effort, Memphis didn’t land a single recruit from the Class of 2022. And, as a result, 13 of the 16 players on the Tigers’ roster are either true juniors or older. 

How does a lineup with both Kendric Davis, Alex Lomax play? Numbers say not good

Memphis Tigers Kendric Davis and Alex Lomax have yet to play a game alongside each other, leaving many wondering how the point guards will jell — on and off the court.

How late nights at the Finch Center shaped former Tiger Craig Randall II, led to historic performance versus Suns

The former Memphis Tiger scored a game-high 35 points and knocked down nine 3-pointers against Phoenix earlier this week.

With the season around the corner, Tigers await players’ eligibility ruling

The Memphis Tigers received confirmation Kendric Davis would be eligible to play this season but still await the decision for two more players. 

.....