Unpacking Penny Hardaway's Memphis basketball roster: Are David Jones, Jayden Quaintance Tigers in 2024-25?

Another week, another dizzying burst of Memphis basketball activity.

Last weekend, coach Penny Hardaway brought two high-caliber guards in for official visits, one after the other. The first, Tyrese Hunter, flew well under the radar. The second, Baraka Okojie, was more visible. Both committed to the Tigers on Monday.

As breakneck as the offseason has been for Memphis, the wheels will keep right on spinning. But, before we start looking ahead to that, let's hit pause real quick. There are some details in need of establishing first. So, let's dissect where things stand for the Tigers before delving into what is potentially around the corner.

What Memphis basketball roster 2024-25 looks like right now

Memphis can have as many as 13 players on scholarship per season.

Hardaway has one scholarship player from the 2023-24 roster − forward Nicholas Jourdain − expected to return. The Tigers also have five players who have committed to transfer in: Hunter, Okojie (pronounced Uh-COE-jay), PJ Haggerty, Colby Rogers and Dain Dainja. Hardaway has also signed incoming freshman guard Jared Harris.

That leaves Memphis with six openings, although Hardaway is not required to fill all six spots. And it's certainly possible he won't.

Jourdain, Hunter and Rogers each have one season of eligibility left. Haggerty and Okojie have three seasons remaining. Dainja could have two seasons left. And, obviously, Harris has four seasons remaining.

Is David Jones' Memphis basketball career over?

Here's where things get a little tricky.

David Jones was the Tigers' leading scorer and rebounder in 2023-24. He had the sixth-most points per game (21.8) in the country last season. He was a first-team All-AAC performer.

And he has one more season of eligibility left. But no one knows whether Jones will be back at Memphis. Last week, the Dominican Republic native announced he will engage in the pre-NBA Draft process while also retaining the option of returning to college.

So, Jones could play for the Tigers again. But, he could also decide to start his professional career now. Or, if Jones wants to spend another season in college, he might elect to transfer. If he opts for the latter, he has until May 1 to enter the transfer portal. Jones was not in the portal as of Wednesday afternoon.

Will Penny Hardaway sign Jayden Quaintance?

Something else the Tigers have brewing is the recruitment of 5-star power forward Jayden Quaintance.

Memphis quickly became a player in the sweepstakes for the 6-foot-9, 230-pound former Kentucky signee over the weekend. So much so that Quaintance scheduled a visit Friday with the Tigers in fairly short order.

The only other school he has visited is Louisville, leading many to believe Quaintance has whittled his list down to the Cardinals and Tigers. But his father, Haminn, told The Commercial Appeal on Tuesday that Quaintance might schedule "one or two" more visits. He declined to offer any more specifics than that.

If Memphis does not land Quaintance, it will not be for a lack of effort.

MEMPHIS BASKETBALL: Penny Hardaway picks up George Mason transfer Baraka Okojie

Other Memphis basketball transfer portal options

Last week, Villanova transfer guard TJ Bamba (6-5) dropped a list of finalists, which includes Memphis. Kentucky, Louisville, Florida, Stanford and Oregon make up the rest.

Bamba, who is scheduled to visit the Tigers this week, averaged 10.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game in his only season with the Wildcats. He also shot 36.9% from three and 82.4% at the free throw line.

Memphis still needs size, though. Dainja (6-10) and Jourdain (6-9) are the only frontcourt players in the boat right now. Quaintance would help there, but he is not a true five.

That's where someone like 7-footer Moussa Cisse could come into play. The former Tiger and former Lausanne star is back in the transfer portal. He visited Oklahoma State recently, but a return to Memphis would make a lot of sense for both Cisse and the Tigers.

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or follow him @munzly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis basketball roster: David Jones, Jayden Quaintance updates