Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
SMU transfer Kendric Davis commits to Memphis: ‘Who doesn’t want to play for Penny?’
By ADAM ZAGORIA
SMU transfer Kendric Davis is headed to Memphis.
Davis is ranked the No. 1 player available in the Transfer Portal by ESPN.com.
The 5-foot-11 point guard and American Athletic Conference Player of the Year chose Penny Hardaway and the Tigers over Kansas, Texas Tech, Memphis, Houston and TCU.
“Me and my family decided to commit to the University of Memphis and play for coach Penny Hardaway,” he told Rashad Phillips.
He added: “I get to play for Penny, one of the best point guards, one of the best stories, that there is in the world. Memphis was the best choice because who doesn’t want to play for Penny?...Ja [Morant] reached out to me, Desmond Bane reached out to me. And he said, ‘If you come here, this will be the biggest thing since Tyreke Evans.’ The city of Memphis will love you.”
Davis, who averaged 19.4 points, 4.4 assists and 3.8 rebounds as a senior, visited Memphis beginning last Friday.
After given it great thought and praying about it I’ve finally made my decision. I’m excited for this next chapter! I would like to thank all of my supporters, coaches, and friends! Join me on @RP3natural show! Click link⬇️ to watch full show. https://t.co/dCV6JQzVFVpic.twitter.com/59IJsa5qTW
The Tigers are losing a ton of players to graduation, the NBA Draft and the Transfer Portal, including heralded freshman Emoni Bates, and have a lot of playing time to offer.
Bates and Jalen Duren, the freshman big man who declared for the NBA Draft, were said to have NIL deals in the 6-7 figure range at Memphis, and Davis could be in line for a low six-figure NIL deal.
Kendric Davis and Caleb Murphy, via instagram, from their official visits to Memphis. pic.twitter.com/krNM3YRsSg
Memphis finished 22-11 this past season and lost to Gonzaga in the second round of the NCAA Tournament after reaching the American Athletic Conference championship game and losing to Houston.
Davis recently listed a Who’s Who of interested schools, including newly-minted national champion Kansas, Duke, UNC, Villanova, Gonzaga, UCLA and Texas, among others. He’s teased Kansas and Texas Tech fans on Twitter, before ultimately choosing the Tigers.
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
