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.
Following Peach Jam title, Jalen Duren could announce next steps in ‘near future’
By ADAM ZAGORIA
After helping Team Final win the prestigious Peach Jam title on Sunday over Brad Beal Elite, Jalen Duren could announce his future plans in the “near future,” ESPN’s Adam Finkelstein reported.
To reiterate what I said on TV yesterday, Jalen Duren could have an announcement in the near future, potentially at the Team Final facility in Delaware.
He’s been the most physically dominant player in the country this year and accomplished everything there is to accomplish. pic.twitter.com/y8rh3LmdxR
That is consistent with what the 6-foot-10 Duren himself has said.
“I can tell you I have no idea what I want to do right now,” Duren told Sports Illustrated earlier this month. “I’m gonna focus on the live period right now and then I will make a decision sometime after Peach Jam.”
Duren, who was named to the ZAGSBLOG All-Peach Jam First Team, is considering Memphis, Miami and Kentucky along with the NBA G League and the Australian NBL. Coaches from the three colleges tracked his every game at Peach Jam.
He visited all three schools this summer but hasn’t ruled out the pro options, with one source telling ZAGSBLOG his G League offer is north of $1 million.
“It’s not something that can be rushed,” Duren told ZAGSBLOG earlier this month. “The pro options are very appealing in the fact that they have also have a great development aspect. All I want to do is develop. Wherever I can do is where I will choose to go and the professional options certainly have that.”
ZAGSBLOG reported in June Duren was expected to reclassify into 2021 from 2022 and enroll in a college and several people close to the situation think that will occur.
“I think it’s very likely that he goes to college with the NIL, but we’ll see,” one source said.
Speaking on ESPN during Peach Jam, recruiting analyst Paul Biancardi said, “I feel like it’s 60/40 college to pro. I have no sources that tell me anything, it’s just a gut feeling. I think Jalen Duren wants to be on a college campus.”
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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.
