By JACOB POLACHECK
Jalen Duren, the nation’s No. 2 ranked prospect in the class of 2022, will announce his top five options on Friday, per Joseph Tipton of On3 Sports.
Duren, the 6-foot-10, 230-pound center from Montverde (FL) Academy and Team Final, is currently considering Villanova, Michigan, Miami, Auburn, Alabama, Kentucky, UCLA, Penn State and Memphis. He is also considering two pro options in the NBA G League Ignite and the Australian NBL.
After taking his first two official visits to Miami (June 15) and Memphis (June 23-24), Duren tripped to Kentucky on Monday and is expected to be on his official visit in Lexington until Wednesday.
ZAGSBLOG recently reported Duren is expected to reclassify to 2021, although he would have to do his coursework somewhere other than Montverde because the school does not enable reclassification. He will have a busy summer ahead with visits, Peach Jam (July 13-25) and schoolwork if he goes that route.
Miami recently hired DJ Irving, who coached at Duren’s former school, Philadelphia Roman Catholic, and also worked with Team Final, as an assistant coach. Former Miami standouts Ja’Quan Newton, Davon Reed and Lonnie Walker IV all played for Team Final.
Kentucky has an open scholarship, a need for a big man and a track record of producing NBA big men like Anthony Davis, Boogie Cousins and Nerlens Noel, among others.
Kentucky is also actively involved for 7-foot-1 Dereck Lively, Duren’s Team Final teammate who is a big Davis fan and who visited Kentucky this week and picked up a scholarship offer.
Memphis has also produced pros like James Wiseman and Precious Achiuwa under coach Penny Hardaway, although Wiseman was only there briefly. Memphis is also involved for Michigan native Emoni Bates, who recently decommitted from Michigan State.
He is currently a projected top-3 pick in he 2023 NBA Draft, but would be eligible for 2022 if he reclassifies.“Obviously, he’s going to have a lot of options moving forward,” Montverde coach Kevin Boyle said last season.
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