Multiple former University of Memphis Tigers are having breakout seasons this year in the NBA, ranging from Jalen Duren playing like an all-star to Moussa Cisse getting playing time in his rookie year.
Jalen Duren played for Memphis during the 2021-2022 season and led them to their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2014. This is his fourth year in the NBA for the Detroit Pistons, and so far, he is making a case to be an all-star. He’s averaging 19.4 points and 12 rebounds along with a block a game. On November 5, against the Jazz, Duren had a monster game with 22 points and 22 rebounds, the fourth 20-point 20 rebound game of his young NBA career.
Josh Minott was another player on the 2021-2022 Tigers team. He was drafted to the NBA in 2022 to the Timberwolves and never played much. This season he has found his footing, starting 9 games so far for the Celtics. He has averaged 8.1 points and 5.7 rebounds per game and shot 34% from three.
Nae’Qwan Tomlin of the 2023-2024 Memphis Tigers is in his second season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He went undrafted and only played 5 games in his entire rookie season, but this season he has already played 5 games and is averaging 7 points and 3.6 rebounds off the bench for a title-contending Cavaliers team.
Moussa Cisse was on last year’s Memphis team and went undrafted but signed with the Dallas Mavericks. They have had tons of injuries, and he has had a chance to get some playing time. Cisse had a good game against the Grizzlies back in the FedExForum on November 7. He had 10 points and 8 rebounds along with a block. He’s averaging 4.3 points and 3.9 rebounds off the bench. “Coming here, it felt like coming back home. It felt good,” Cisse said after the game.
