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Tigers Basketball Insider: Two of Memphis’ 2023 commits provide updates on their statuses
 
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Memphis Tigers head coach Penny Hardaway (right) huddles with his team during media availability at the NCAA tournament on Thursday, March 16, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)
 

Memphis Tigers head coach Penny Hardaway (right) huddles with his team during media availability at the NCAA tournament on Thursday, March 16, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

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, Tim Buckley and Geoff Calkins.

As Memphis continues to ramp up its efforts in the transfer portal, some wonder how the Tigers will have room to bring in additional players.

Coach Penny Hardaway’s team has Jayden Hardaway, Chandler Lawson and Johnathan Lawson set to return, with decisions from Malcolm Dandridge, Keonté Kennedy and Jahmar Young Jr. still to come. The program has been in talks with several top transfers, too.

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Three-star forward David Tubek already decommitted from Memphis’ 2023 class this past weekend in a move many speculate to have been initiated by Penny Hardaway. So, it’d be logical for one to think more cuts are coming to the six-man group of incoming freshmen that remains.

To take the guesswork out of the equation, The Daily Memphian reached out to a couple of Tigers pledges who fans considered to be likely on the chopping block.

As a reminder, here are the six commits in Memphis’ 2023 class:

  1. Five-star guard Mikey Williams
  2. Five-star forward JJ Taylor
  3. Four-star guard Ty-Laur Johnson
  4. Four-star forward Ashton Hardaway
  5. Four-star forward Carl Cherenfant
  6. Three-star guard Ryan Forrest

Johnson is the only one of the bunch who is still unsigned. Cherenfant and Forrest told The Daily Memphian they signed their national letters of intent on the first day of November’s early signing period, Hardaway signed his NLI during his live commitment ceremony in mid-November and Memphis announced the signings of Williams and Taylor later that month.

While Johnson couldn’t be reached ahead of the publication of this story, Forrest and Cherenfant — the pair whose futures with the Tigers seem less secure than the ones of Williams, Taylor or Hardaway — made it clear where they stand.

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“I’m locked in,” Forrest told The Daily Memphian on Monday. “I’m playing for Memphis next year.”

The 6-foot-3 guard is the cousin of Memphis assistant coach Shawn Forrest and is the No. 228 recruit in his class, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. The younger Forrest said he and his elder cousin exchange texts semi-regularly and that he’s been told nothing has changed regarding his status.

Forrest looks forward to reporting to campus for the start of team workouts in June.

Cherenfant is equally as confident that he’ll be wearing a Tigers jersey next season.

“I will be suiting up for Memphis next year, no doubt in my mind,” Cherenfant said. “Ready to get on campus in two months to start working for a March Madness run next year.”

The 6-5 wing is a borderline top-100 prospect, ranking No. 109 in the class, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. Those who know Cherenfant believe it’s his defensive versatility — being able to guard multiple positions — that make him a valuable asset.

Of course, things can change quickly — especially in today’s world of college basketball. But as it stands now, Forrest and Cherenfant fully expect to be on the Tigers’ 2023-24 roster.

Whether or not Johnson will be on the squad is less certain, but it’d be fair to assume Penny Hardaway won’t simply let go of a player who ranks in the top-100 and brings a high-level scoring ability and plenty of upside.

With the regular signing period beginning April 12 (and ending May 17), Memphis will gain more clarity on his situation soon, too.

Hardaway and his staff have been extremely aggressive in the portal, so maybe they expect one or more of the trio of Dandridge, Kennedy and Young to not be a part of their plans for next season. Or maybe not.

For now, though, Tigers fans should brace themselves for a wild offseason that’s just only getting started.


More from your Insider:


Martin: For Memphis basketball, youth is not the answer

A year after Penny Hardaway eschewed high school recruiting completely, Memphis currently has six commitments in the 2023 class.

Final Four Memories: The cutting room floor

Fifty years ago, members of the 1972-73 Memphis State basketball program made memories before, during and after the team’s run to the NCAA Tournament. Here are some deserving to be picked up, dusted off and shared.

3-star forward David Tubek decommits from Memphis

Tubek is rated the No. 263 overall prospect in the 2023 class, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings, and was a part of Memphis’ fifth-ranked recruiting class.

Katrina Merriweather leaves Memphis program for Cincinnati

The departures comes after two seasons with the Tigers for the former Bearcats player.

Is joining U of M’s conference a plus? These four athletic directors think so

With Houston, Cincinnati and UCF all exiting, the American Athletic Conference will welcome six new members on July 1. The Daily Memphian spoke with ADs from four of the incoming schools. 

Chandler, Johnathan Lawson will return to Tigers next season, father says

Chandler Lawson will be a fifth-year senior next season. Johnathan Lawson will be a redshirt sophomore.

Memphis’ Ian Granja enters transfer portal

The 6-foot-7 freshman from Spain appeared in just five games for the Tigers, totaling 12 minutes and three points on the season.

Memphis player charged with assault after WNIT game

Tigers guard Jamirah Shutes allegedly threw a punch in handshake line after game at Bowling Green.

Final Four Memories: Meeting expectations, Memphis State made it to St. Louis

Even before the 1972-73 season began, many figured Larry Finch, Ronnie Robinson, Larry Kenon and the rest of the Tigers had something special brewing. Did they ever.

Martin: A step back or step forward for the Tigers program?

The way the tournament game ended was unfortunate and unlucky, but it shouldn’t otherwise overshadow what was a positive season for the Tigers.

Final Four Memories: With Larry Kenon in place, Memphis State made magic

The transfer from Amarillo (Texas) College was the missing piece the Tigers needed to play with Larry Finch and Ronnie Robinson and make a run to the 1973 NCAA Tournament.

 
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