Memphis' Duren declares for NBA draft

Memphis freshman Jalen Duren will be entering the 2022 NBA Draft, he told ESPN's Jonathan Givony on Monday.

Duren is a projected lottery pick after being named the AAC's Freshman of the Year and earning a spot on the conference's first team.

The former five-star recruit averaged 12 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks in his only campaign for the Tigers after initially reclassifying from the 2022 high school class.

"I'm looking forward to showing NBA people how much better I've gotten with my skill level and what my game really is with my touch around the basket and shooting the ball," Duren said. "There are a lot of little things I can bring a NBA team with my effort, energy, mindset, and work ethic. I'm big on winning. I'll do whatever it takes to get the W."

Duren is looking to be the third Memphis big man to be drafted in recent memory after both James Wiseman and Precious Achiuwa were taken in the first round in 2020.