The top transfer in the portal announced his decision Friday evening, and he will be a Memphis Tiger. Yes, you read that correctly. Kendric Davis will don Tiger Blue next season, regardless of the dark cloud hovering over the University of Memphis men’s basketball program.
The reigning American Athletic Conference player of the year had narrowed the decision to Texas, Kansas, Memphis, Gonzaga, Houston, Texas Tech and TCU – but was ultimately wooed by head coach Penny Hardaway.
The SMU point guard was a large part of the Mustangs’ game plan that gave the Tigers fits in each of their matchups, where he averaged 20 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.5 assists, and averaged 19 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists on the season.
Although he will test the NBA Draft waters before coming to the U of M, he did not sign with an agent so he could maintain NCAA eligibility. The commitment brings the Tigers a star point guard that has been sorely missed in the Hardaway era. Davis’ scoring presence and passing ability give the Tigers a chance to open the floor in a way that Alex Lomax’s focus on facilitation or Tyler Harris’ scoring could not.
Landing the top transfer prospect is certain to turn heads as Hardaway has gathered the top recruiting class twice in his tenure, but has been mostly quiet in the transfer portal. And, with Hardaway announcing his intent to utilize the portal heavily this off-season, he has already shown his recruiting proficiency transfers to – well – transfers.
But that isn’t where the shock of this pickup stops. Davis committed to Memphis amid a storm of allegations and an Independent Accountability Resolutions Process investigation that threatens a postseason ban.
But, with three-star shooting guard – and Sun Belt sixth man of the year – Elijah McCadden also already committed from Georgia Southern, Hardaway is on his way towards rebuilding the losses to the portal and draft that occurred after this last season, but still has a long road ahead of him.
There are currently six soon-to-be former Tigers in the transfer portal along with Jalen Duren and Josh Minott testing draft waters. Minott has confirmed he will not return to the U of M, regardless of his draft outcome.
Kendric Davis, the top transfer in the portal, announced he would be joining the Memphis Tigers Friday evening. He is the reigning AAC player of the year.
