With less than a month before the Tigers’ first exhibition game, Memphis will officially begin practicing on Tuesday.

Who could be the next homegrown Tiger?

The 2021-22 season may be the most anticipated since 2007-08, when the Tigers landed Derrick Rose.

On paper, the current roster has what it needs to replicate a similar type of run. The makings of a Final Four run all start in practice, though. And preseason camp figures to be intense as players battle for spots in the rotation and receive coaching from the likes of Larry Brown and Rasheed Wallace.

Tigers basketball director of scouting back where it all started

The Memphis Rebounders also will be hosting a happy hour event for members of the club, which will run from 4 to 7 p.m.

Now, here are four storylines to watch as Memphis opens preseason camp:

The Emoni Bates point guard experiment

In an offseason of huge additions, Emoni Bates was probably the biggest. Arguably the top NBA prospect in the country for 2023, Bates’ commitment gave Memphis even more firepower and national attention.

One of the reasons the gifted 6-foot-8 star ultimately decided to come to Memphis was to learn from coach Penny Hardaway and become the next dynamic big point guard. Practice will be crucial for Bates to learn and work out any potential kinks making a position change.

It probably won’t be as big a transition as many anticipate. Bates is used to having the ball in his hands and remember, the best point guards in the game all have the ability to fill it up in a hurry. If he can make the transition seamlessly, then it could give Memphis one of the most complete rosters in the country.

Competition on the wing

With Bates getting the first crack at point guard, the biggest position battle is going to be on the wing among Earl Timberlake, Landers Nolley II and Lester Quinones. All three have a strong case for starting at either the 2- or 3-spot.

Quinones affects the game the most with his defense, shooting and rebounding. Timberlake, a projected first-round pick in the 2022 NBA draft, may be the most talented.

And Nolley was the team’s leading scorer and best 3-point shooter last season. Whichever of the trio ends up coming off the bench still will have a vital role, but this is the key battle to watch.

Which freshmen can crack the rotation?

We know Bates and five-star center Jalen Duren will have massive roles, but who else from Hardaway’s second No. 1 recruiting class could push for playing time?

Johnathan Lawson has gotten rave reviews early on. Down the line, he’ll likely man the point guard spot, but right now he could play either wing position. That versatility could be the key to finding minutes early.

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Josh Minott is another who should be hard to keep off the floor. Near 6-10, Minott could play any of the four positions, but is at his best in transition with the ball in his hands. This will be a big developmental year for both, and both should get an extended run.

Coaching chemistry

Just as the players have to find their chemistry with one another, the same goes for Hardaway’s assistants. It’s one of the best coaching staffs in the country, with the wealth of experience Hardaway, Brown, Wallace and Cody Toppert all bring.

Hardaway and Wallace were voted NBA All-Stars multiple times. Brown has won championships in both the NBA and college, and Toppert is one of the most respected minds in the game. Each one has experienced success, but could that lead to egos clashing?

Recruiting notebook: Memphis hosts top point guard in class of 2023

Early reports say that so far the dynamic staff is working well together. Brown brings a wealth of wisdom, while Wallace has brought tons of energy. If the coaches are all on the same page, then it should trickle down to the players.