Breaking News: Jevon Porter Makes Waves with High-Profile Commitment to Memphis Tigers!

Coach Penny Hardaway’s Tigers currently have just one scholarship player from last season’s squad — sixth-year guard Jayden Hardaway — set to return. They’ve brought in four freshmen and six transfers — and they aren’t even done adding new faces.

This sort of player carousel is enough to make anyone’s head spin.

Let’s take a look at where Memphis’ 2023-24 roster stands now:

Who’s in?

Returnees:

Jayden Hardaway, SG

Hardaway is the lone guaranteed holdover from the 2022-23 Tigers.

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The 6-foot-5 guard initially joined the program as a walk-on in 2018 but earned a scholarship soon after. After redshirting in 2018-19 as a freshman, Hardaway played a reserve role for three seasons before becoming a fixture in the Tigers’ rotation this past season. He will again likely see minutes off the bench.

Hardaway averaged 5.4 points and 1 rebound through 29 games in 2022-23. He started in 19 games.

Transfers:

Caleb Mills, G

Mills will likely be a top-three scorer on next season’s Tigers team.

The 6-5 guard transferred to Memphis in early April after spending the past two seasons at Florida State and the two prior at Houston. He was the AAC’s Preseason Player of the Year in 2020-21, but he decided to leave the Cougars after playing just four games in that sophomore campaign.

Mills averaged 13 points, 3.4 assists and 3 rebounds per game in 2022-23. He started 31 of the team’s 32 games.

David Jones, SF

Jones was a key pickup for Penny Hardaway’s club deep into the offseason.

The 6-6 forward transferred to Memphis in earlier this month after playing for St. John’s this past season and for DePaul the two seasons prior. As a proven offensive weapon in the Big East, Jones will almost certainly be a starter and likely a top-three scorer for the Tigers next season.

Jones averaged 13.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 2022-23.

Teafale Lenard Jr., G/F

Lenard, while a bit raw offensively, has NBA upside.

The 6-7 guard/forward transferred to Memphis in early April after spending the past two seasons at Middle Tennessee State. Known for his defensive prowess and incredible leaping ability — which have him projected to be a second-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony — Lenard should be a starter for the Tigers next season.

Lenard averaged 8.3 points, 4 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 2022-23. His 61 blocked shots were good for the fourth-highest single-season mark in MTSU history.

Jonathan Pierre, G/F

Pierre was one of the most coveted transfers in the portal this offseason.

The 6-9 wing from Division II Nova Southeastern in Florida transferred to Memphis in early April. Despite playing the past two seasons at the DII level and having zero Division I offers out of high school in 2021, Pierre could eventually be an impact player for the Tigers. His height and length, coupled with guard-like skills, are the primary reason for his appeal.

Pierre averaged 14.5 points and 3.4 assists wh. ile shooting 40.5% from 3-point range in 2022-23.