On Thursday night, college basketball insider Hitmen Hoops reported that the Memphis Tigers made a significant addition to their roster for the upcoming 2024-2025 season, bringing in former SMU power forward Tyreek Smith. Smith joins a cadre of transfers already added to the Tigers’ lineup, including PJ Haggerty, Tyrese Hunter, Colby Rogers, Baraka Okojie, and Dain Dainja. With Smith’s inclusion, the Tigers brought six transfers to bolster their squad. However, the situation remains to be determined regarding the return of last year’s leading scorer, David Jones, who is considering entering the NBA Draft.
According to the latest report from Jason Munz of the Commercial Appeal, Jones has received an invitation to the NBA Draft Combine, adding to the speculation surrounding his future. The deadline for Jones to withdraw from the 2024 NBA Draft looms large, adding further intrigue to the Tigers’ roster composition, and returning players Nicholas Jourdain and Joe Cooper, along with incoming freshman guard Jared Harris, round out the squad for the upcoming season.
Tyreek Smith’s addition to the Memphis Tigers boosts their frontcourt, adding size and depth to their interior rotation. Smith will join a lineup featuring Nicholas Jourdain and Illinois transfer Dain Dainja, enhancing the Tigers’ options in the paint. Before joining Memphis, Smith embarked on a collegiate journey at Texas Tech, where he played one season before redshirting the following year. He then transferred to Oklahoma State, where he spent two seasons and appeared in 36 games, averaging 5.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per game.
Smith’s most recent stint with the SMU Mustangs showcased his development, averaging 8.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. His shot-blocking prowess ranked him third best in the AAC, while his impressive 58.4% field goal percentage placed him fifth in the league. With his track record and skill set, Smith brings a defined role to the Tigers, aiming to provide an upgraded presence in the interior compared to last season’s lineup.
The addition of Smith will not be the last of the transfer portal talent that head coach Penny Hardaway will add to the current roster. There are a total of five available scholarships that can be utilized as the Tigers continue to add personnel for the upcoming season.
