Tigers Sign Top Recruit Jalen Duren
Aug 10, 2021 | Men's Basketball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis Tigers head coach Penny Hardaway has announced the signing of Jalen Duren (C, 6-10, Sharon Hill, Pa.) to a National Letter of Intent to suit up for the Tigers in 2021-22 after reclassifying to the Class of 2021.
Duren is the No. 1 prospect in the nation according to Rivals and is a consensus five-star recruit. With Duren's signing, Memphis now has the fifth-best recruiting class in the country for 2021-22 per 247Sports.
"Jalen is an unbelievable talent, and he is an even better person," Hardaway said. "We are extremely happy to have him in a Tigers uniform."
Duren played last season at Montverde Academy in Florida, where he helped the squad to the 2021 High School Nationals championship and averaged 14.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game while shooting 62.9 percent from the floor. He averaged 12.7 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in three games at Nationals and had nine points and nine rebounds in the title game.
Former Tiger and current Toronto Raptors forward Precious Achiuwa also suited up for Montverde Academy.
Duren excelled on the summer circuit this year, helping Team Final to the Nike Peach Jam Championship. He had 17 points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots in the championship game over Brad Beal Elite. He played 15 games with Team Final in July and contributed 13.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game.
In 2019, Duren captured a gold medal in the FIBA Americas U16 Championship representing USA Basketball. In six games in Brazil, he averaged over 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks per outing.
Duren chose the Tigers over Kentucky, Miami, the NBA's G League and the NBL in Australia.
Tiger season ticket holders may renew their season tickets at THIS LINK, and fans interested in purchasing new season tickets for 2021-22 may use THIS LINK. The Memphis Ticket Office can also be reached during business hours at (901) 678-2331. Payment plans are available for season tickets.
The Tigers won the 2021 NIT championship and finished the 2020-21 season with a 20-8 record. The 20-win season last year was Memphis' fourth in a row, including all three seasons under Hardaway. The Tigers are one of just 14 schools in the nation with four-straight 20-win seasons to their credit.
Hardaway has won 63 games in three seasons as Tigers head coach, which is the third-most among 50 head coaches hired before the 2018-19 season.
The Tigers are slated to return three of their top-five scorers from a season ago in Landers Nolley II (13.1 ppg), DeAndre Williams (11.7 ppg) and Lester Quinones (9.5 ppg). Joining the trio and the rest of the returning players are newcomers Duren, John Camden (F, 6-8, Downington, Pa.), Chandler Lawson (F, 6-8, University of Oregon), Johnathan Lawson (F, 6-6, Memphis, Tenn.), Josh Minott (G, 6-9, Boca Raton, Fla.), Sam Onu (C, 6-11, Malvern, Pa.) and Earl Timberlake (G, 6-6, University of Miami).
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Basketball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Duren is the No. 1 prospect in the nation according to Rivals and is a consensus five-star recruit. With Duren's signing, Memphis now has the fifth-best recruiting class in the country for 2021-22 per 247Sports.
"Jalen is an unbelievable talent, and he is an even better person," Hardaway said. "We are extremely happy to have him in a Tigers uniform."
Duren played last season at Montverde Academy in Florida, where he helped the squad to the 2021 High School Nationals championship and averaged 14.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game while shooting 62.9 percent from the floor. He averaged 12.7 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in three games at Nationals and had nine points and nine rebounds in the title game.
Former Tiger and current Toronto Raptors forward Precious Achiuwa also suited up for Montverde Academy.
Duren excelled on the summer circuit this year, helping Team Final to the Nike Peach Jam Championship. He had 17 points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots in the championship game over Brad Beal Elite. He played 15 games with Team Final in July and contributed 13.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game.
In 2019, Duren captured a gold medal in the FIBA Americas U16 Championship representing USA Basketball. In six games in Brazil, he averaged over 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks per outing.
Duren chose the Tigers over Kentucky, Miami, the NBA's G League and the NBL in Australia.
Tiger season ticket holders may renew their season tickets at THIS LINK, and fans interested in purchasing new season tickets for 2021-22 may use THIS LINK. The Memphis Ticket Office can also be reached during business hours at (901) 678-2331. Payment plans are available for season tickets.
The Tigers won the 2021 NIT championship and finished the 2020-21 season with a 20-8 record. The 20-win season last year was Memphis' fourth in a row, including all three seasons under Hardaway. The Tigers are one of just 14 schools in the nation with four-straight 20-win seasons to their credit.
Hardaway has won 63 games in three seasons as Tigers head coach, which is the third-most among 50 head coaches hired before the 2018-19 season.
The Tigers are slated to return three of their top-five scorers from a season ago in Landers Nolley II (13.1 ppg), DeAndre Williams (11.7 ppg) and Lester Quinones (9.5 ppg). Joining the trio and the rest of the returning players are newcomers Duren, John Camden (F, 6-8, Downington, Pa.), Chandler Lawson (F, 6-8, University of Oregon), Johnathan Lawson (F, 6-6, Memphis, Tenn.), Josh Minott (G, 6-9, Boca Raton, Fla.), Sam Onu (C, 6-11, Malvern, Pa.) and Earl Timberlake (G, 6-6, University of Miami).
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Basketball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.